Iran Air CEO Taher Abdolhai said the war with the United States and Israel destroyed passenger aircraft, with reports differing on the count as the carrier faced longstanding limits on its serviceable fleet.
Anadolu Agency attributed a figure of 20 to 30 destroyed planes to Tasnim. Nour News reported that Abdolhai put the number at 30 to 40 during a Monday news conference. Both accounts also reported his estimate that 70 to 80 planes came under attack.
Abdolhai said Iran had about 300 passenger aircraft but needed roughly 1,000. Anadolu reported that his prewar estimate for aircraft able to fly was 130 to 140.
Abdolhai blamed sanctions for restrictions on spare parts and financial problems at Iran Air. Separately, Anadolu's background report said sanctions renewed after the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 affected Iran's aircraft purchases and access to international financing.
