Delivery of ex-Saudia Boeing 777 to Iran raises eyebrows
Iran’s sanctioned airline, Mahan Air, appears to be receiving ex-Saudi Boeing 777-200 airliners to replenish its fleet. At least five are reported to have arrived in Iran so far. The acquisition seems to have been done through shadowy third parties and does not appear to involve Saudia.
Saudia denies reports it sold 777-200s to Mahan Air
Reports and photos have emerged that purport to show former Saudi Boeing 777-200s arriving in Iran for the country’s Mahan Air. The reports have attracted the attention of Saudia, which issued a statement denying it has sold the jets directly.
Breaking: I have received images of the former Saudia Boeing 777-268ER wide-body passenger aircraft whose transfer to Iran was authorized by the United Arab Emirates. They are parked in an airport in Southern Iran.
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) July 5, 2026
The aircraft have been delivered to IRGC-linked Mahan Air.… pic.twitter.com/T0iMIDlgYZ
In a statement on the 4th of July, the airline said, “Saudia has noted reports circulating in the media and on social media regarding allegations that Boeing 777-200 aircraft formerly owned by Saudia were transferred to an entity subject to international sanctions.”
It added, “Saudia wishes to clarify that the aircraft in question were sold on June 7, 2023, to a company registered outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…”
Reports of 5 used Saudi Airline Boeing 777-268ERs delivered so far to the Iranian Mahan Air, two of which are stationed in Tehran Mehrabad airport. pic.twitter.com/z8Ronhu6fg
— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) July 3, 2026
Saudia’s statement ended with, “Since the completion of the sale, Saudia has had no operational or commercial relationship with the aircraft.”
A history of Iran acquiring aircraft via shelf companies
AGN has previously reported how Iran has a long history of acquiring old aircraft through shelf companies. As the country is subject to international sanctions, it is unable to purchase new aircraft and engines.
Like Russia, it would likely struggle to maintain new aircraft even if it could obtain them. These aircraft, and especially older-generation engine cores, are easier to maintain. Russia has particular problems maintaining its A321neos under sanctions.
Instead, Iran has long turned to purchasing retired aircraft on the black market via a convoluted web of shelf companies set up in various countries.
There is also a steady supply of components as older aircraft are recycled and their parts sold on the international market, much like an automobile wrecker.
In 2025, Iran acquired five ex-Singapore Airlines and ex-NokScoot Boeing 777-200ERs via shelf companies and re-registration in Madagascar.
Also in that year, Iran acquired a pair of Airbus A330-200s formerly operated by China’s Haokun Energy. Those aircraft were reportedly bartered for Iranian oil.
In 2024, four ex-Turkish Airlines A340-300 found themselves in Iran. These had been retired, stored in South Africa, and then took off for their new buyer, ostensibly in Uzbekistan, but were diverted to their new home in Tehran en route.
The same year, Iran acquired two more A340s owned by the Gambian leasing company, Macka Invest. A third A340 had been intended to fly to Iran, but it was blocked by Lithuania after being tipped off.
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Destruction of around 60 commercial-type aircraft
After the 2026 US-Israeli air campaign over Iran (Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion), Iran claimed that around 60 of its commercial-type aircraft had been destroyed. It is unclear how many of these were passenger-configured aircraft and if some of them were military or not.
🎯STRUCK: 16 IRGC Quds Force aircraft used to transfer weapons to Hezbollah.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 7, 2026
The IAF conducted a wave of precise strikes in Tehran, targeting military infrastructure at Mehrabad Airport, a central hub used by the IRGC to arm and fund its terror proxies across the Middle East.…
During the operation, Israel announced it was destroying commercial-type aircraft linked with the Iranian IRGC. These aircraft have been reported for years to have been illegally flying weapons around the region to actors in Lebanon, Yemen, and elsewhere.
Early in the air campaign, Israel claimed to have destroyed 16 of these aircraft, with subsequent strikes adding to the tally. Satellite images and photos released on the ground from Iran confirmed much of the destruction.
Before the war, Iran had been estimated to have had around 330 commercial aircraft, of which around half were reportedly grounded. It is unclear how many of the 60 were from its operational fleet of passenger aircraft.
While it seems Saudia has not sold the Boeing 777-200s directly to Iran’s Mahan Air, the story does fit a larger narrative of Iran acquiring aircraft on the black market. It is also unclear if the acquisition is related to 2026’s air campaign or if it had been planned before.
Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons
