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Iran has managed to acquire five Boeing 777-200ER aircraft despite international sanctions that restrict the purchase of planes with US-made components. These aircraft, originally delivered to Singapore Airlines between 2001 and 2003, have been transferred under unclear circumstances and are expected to be used by Mahan Air, an Iranian carrier under US sanctions.
The jets were stored at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in Cambodia before being moved to Iran. One of the aircraft was tracked departing Cambodia on July 15 and is now located at Mashhad International Airport in Iran. During its flight, the transponder was turned off over Afghanistan, making its route untraceable.
This incident is not isolated. Iran has previously obtained aircraft through indirect registrations and untracked delivery routes. In April, two Airbus A330-200s from Hong Kong Airlines were flown from Oman to Tehran without international intervention. Similarly, two former French Air and Space Force Airbus A340-200s arrived in May 2023 after being re-registered in Mali.
