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There is a sense in Iran that officials are poised to press for a ramping up of activity across different industrial sectors in line with the relaunch of the 2015 nuclear deal, or JCPOA, between Iran and major powers. An agreement on restarting the JCPOA may be imminent, though there is always the chance that the negotiators at the Vienna nuclear deal talks won’t get one over the line. Raisi also demanded that IKCO starts producing a new “affordable” vehicle, with up-to-date technology. From late March, he said, the company should halt production of antiquated models, namely the Peugeot 405, Peugeot Pars (406 montage) and the ever-popular original Peugeot 206 model.
Raisi also observed that the automaker needed to push ahead with the production of electric vehicles (EVs).
IKCO and subsidiary Jetco announced in January that they had successfully produced their first EV in the form of the new Tara sedan.
It is thought that the IKCO Tara all-electric-version will be released to the market by April; however, significant delays, in part due to ongoing supply issues, may put back the official release until later in the year.
9.2.3 Aviation corporate news
Tehran-Dushanbe flights resume after two years
IRGC general appointed acting CEO of Iran Air
Flights between Tehran and Dushanbe have resumed after a two-year hiatus caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions, Iran Otagh reported on June 12.
Ties between the world's two lone Persian-speaking states have quickly intensified in the past year, while at the same time Turkey’s influence continues to grow in the Turkic-speaking states of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, namely Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. Tajikistan has historically been nervous of Tehran’s Islamic regime but the changing geopolitical situation in the region, particularly the chaos in Afghanistan that poses militant and terrorist threats to the Central Asian nations, has forced Dushanbe to accept that Iran remains its most natural regional ally.
Regular flights between the Iranian and Tajik capitals restarted last week following an agreement between Tehran and Dushanbe linked to the end-of-May official visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to Iran. Tajikistan’s Somon Air was reportedly likely set to carry out flights between the two capitals.
A middle-ranking general of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been appointed acting CEO of flagship carrier Iran Air, Press TV reported on April 25.
The appointment of Second Brigadier General Shamseddin Farzazadipour comes at a time when a row between Tehran and Washington over the continued designation by the US of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) threatens to destroy attempts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, or JCPOA.
Farzazadipour reportedly previously served as a commander of aviation operations in the Guard’s Air and Space Force.
The appointment is expected to become permanent after formalities are completed within the next few months, Press TV also reported.
Iran Air, known to Iranians as Homa, has been financially hobbled in recent years with US sanctions hindering its attempts to modernise its fleet, partly by preventing the acquisition of scores of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The company is also said to be facing a mountain of unpaid pensions.
75 IRAN Country Report July 2022 www.intellinews.com