- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Russian pilots to be replaced with nationals - Iranian transport minister

© RIA Novosti . Ruslan Krivobok / Go to the mediabank Russian pilots to be replaced with nationals - Iranian transport minister
 Russian pilots to be replaced with nationals - Iranian transport minister  - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Russian commercial pilots flying for Iranian airlines have to leave the country within two months, the Fars news agency quoted Iranian Transport Minister Hamid Behbahani as saying on Saturday.

Russian commercial pilots flying for Iranian airlines have to leave the country within two months, the Fars news agency quoted Iranian Transport Minister Hamid Behbahani as saying on Saturday.

"Upon an order from the president [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad], the Road and Transport Ministry has given a two-month period, after which all Russian pilots will have to leave the country," Behbahani said.

He said Iran has many professional and specialist pilots, and there was "no need to bring in pilots from abroad."

Behbahani did not say, however, how many Russians were working for Iranian airlines.

Iran has suffered a number of air crashes in recent years, many involving Russian-made aircraft.

A Russian-made Tu-154 airliner piloted by a Russian caught fire as it landed in northeastern Iran in late January, leaving more than 40 people injured. It was owned by Iran's Taban Airlines

In 2009, a Tu-154 plane of Iran's Capsian Airlines crashed in northern Iran en route from Tehran to Yerevan, killing all 153 passengers and 15 crew on board.

The move may also be seen as an indication of Tehran's growing frustration at Moscow's support for new sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier this week Russia would back sanctions against the Islamic republic provided they were balanced and did not target civilians.

Iran's recent move to begin enriching uranium to 20% sparked a new wave of international criticism, with the U.S. leading calls for new harsher sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Western powers suspect that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making weapons, while Tehran claims it needs enriched uranium for civilian energy purposes.

MOSCOW, March 6 (RIA Novosti)

 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала