Sanctions on Iran result in pent-up demand for 400 new planes

[ANKARA] Barred by sanctions from buying Western airliners since the 1970s, Iran has pent-up demand for 400 new planes, Teheran's top aviation official was reported as saying, offering potential billions to manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing.

Iran won limited relief from Western sanctions after agreeing to curtail its nuclear activities for six months under an interim accord with world powers which took effect in January.

A complete lifting of sanctions would require a comprehensive deal to end a decade-long stand-off over what Teheran maintains is a nuclear programme for peaceful energy purposes.