TEHRAN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran is seeking foreign investments to develop its airports, an official with Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company said, Financial Tribune daily reported Tuesday.
Iran has not signed deals with foreign firms on developing its aviation infrastructure since January 2016 when Tehran and world powers implemented the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA, Yadollah Aqaei-Saem was quoted as saying.
The Islamic republic needs to lure investments to build new airports and terminals, as well as develop Iran's air traffic control systems, Aqaei-Saem said.
Earlier this year, it was announced here that Iran had reached a preliminary agreement with the French construction firm Vinci to develop airports in the two Iranian cities and tourist hubs of Mashhad and Isfahan.
Iran's aviation system was hit hard by international sanctions that were to end with the nuclear deal's implementation.
However, a set of existing sanctions by the United States forbids transactions with Iran in the U.S. dollar.
Besides, new sanctions by the United States following the JCPOA, discourage foreign companies from approaching Iran.
Currently, Iran plans to develop the airports of Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Tabriz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Kerman and Shiraz mainly through foreign investments.
Rahmatollah Mahabadi, Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company's chief executive officer, said there is a need for 5 billion U.S. dollars' investment in Iranian airports.
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