Iran Air managing director Saeed Hessami said an agreement worth $200 million had been finalised for the purchase of five Tupolev 204s passenger planes from Russia 

He said that Tupolev 204s passenger planes are competitive with Airbus and Boeing.

"Unfortunately, Iranians do not have a positive idea about Tupolev, because of the negative feedback about model 154s of the same brand. However, the model 204s which Iran has ordered are in the same class as Airbus and Boeing," he said in remarks published in an Irna report.

According to the report, Hessami said the aircraft would join the Iranian air fleet in the next 18 months.

"We have ordered the Russian manufacturer to provide the airplanes with technical facilities to ensure passenger safety."