Iran's state carrier has signed a tentative deal with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing for the purchase of passenger aircraft.
The purchase includes a mix of 737 and 777 models, Iran Air said in a June 21 statement.
The carrier said it will obtain the planes through a lease purchase, pending clearance from the Iranian and U.S. governments.
Boeing confirmed that an initial agreement had been reached, adding that "any and all contracts with Iran's airlines will be contingent upon U.S. government approval."
Iranian Transportation Minister Abbas Akhoundi said possible deals between the Islamic republic and Boeing could be worth as much as $25 billion, on a par with the country's earlier agreement with Europe's Airbus.
Iran's commercial airlines suffered badly under Western sanctions imposed over its nuclear program, which kept them from obtaining spare parts for their planes.
The Islamic republic is now emerging from international isolation after the easing of sanctions in January under a deal between Tehran and global powers to curb Iran's nuclear program.
