Four 'French-made' Airbus aircraft bought, present in heavily sanctioned Iran: aviation agency

Four 'French-made' Airbus aircraft have been bought and are now in Iran, the heavily sanctioned country’s aviation agency has said.

Civil Aviation Organization spokesperson Hassan Khoshkho said the Airbus A340 planes were "made in France" and reached the Islamic Republic "in recent days", according to Iranian media.

No additional information was given about how the aircraft were obtained or who assisted with buying them, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported.

It follows reports four A340-300s recently left a South African airport and flew to Tehran after initially being set to travel to Uzbekistan.

Some think the planes may have been purchased by Iranian firms attempting to get around sanctions.

American sanctions have stopped Iran Air, Mahan Airlines and other carriers from buying A340s to strengthen their stock.

Issues with access to parts and buying new aircraft have seen top airlines in Iran cut back on activities abroad.