The foreign carriers are taking interest in the liner. According to RBK Daily, UAC has stated that Iranian airlines are among potential customers. According to the sources, the delivery of jets equipped with PS90A2 engines has been discussed in spite of these engines’ deliveries to Iran being forbidden by the American authorities.

As reported by UAC’s vice-president, Alexander Tulyakov, the foreign customers are taking interest in Tu-204SMs and the corresponding negotiations are taking place. According to him, the Iranian companies are among them. Alexander Tulyakov has noted that it is referred to 15-20 jets.

It has been considered earlier that first five Tu-204SMs (from the serial number 54) will be delivered to Iran in accordance with the contract signed in 2009 between Iran Air Tour nad Ilyushin Finance & Co. leasing company. However, Pratt & Whitney (shareholder of Perm engine company) has notified the partner in 2010 that the deliveries of first Tu-204SM jets with PS-90A2 engines are impossible, since the Americans have taken part in its development and the United States Department of State has imposed sanctions upon Iran.

UAC’s official representative has explained that the discussion is possibly about delivery of jets equipped with PS-90A engines, developed without participation of the American side. But, as reported by Tupolev’s website, Tu-204SM is a continuation of Tu-204/Tu-214 family’s development. «The PS-90A2 engine, certified in accordance with Joint Aviation Regulations JAR-33, is used as power jet for Tu-204SM».

«Pratt & Whitney confirms its obligations and intends to observe all the sanctions and export regulations of USA. We work with governmental authorities and our Russian partners to ensure the strict observation of American rules. Our Russian partners from UAC and UEC has acknowledged the understanding of fact that PS-90A2 engines shall not be sold with any infraction of laws or sanctions of USA in the area of export control, including those relating to Iran », — Pratt & Whitney noted.

At the same time, the source from the Ministry of Industry and Trade reports that the Russian side has found a variant of avoiding the American sanctions and delivering the jet with PS-90A2 engines to Iran. Otherwise, the Tu-204SM project may be closed due to absence of customers.