Iran firm displays US-made helicopters, showing it can evade sanctions
TEHRAN - An Iranian company on Thursday displayed four brand new US-made helicopters it purchased through third parties, offering them as proof that the country could evade international sanctions over its disputed nuclear program.
The display of the R-44 helicopters came during an air exhibition in Kish Island, in the Persian Gulf.
The four-person helicopters are manufactured by the California-based Robinson Helicopter Company.
Mahmoud Azin, the head of Iran's Helicopters Company, told the Tasnim news website that the helicopters were purchased at a marked-up price through "dealers" and can be used for both training and police air patrols. His company, which has some 25 helicopters, mainly serves Iranian oil sites.
