Iran has signed a deal with Russia to buy satellite and aircraft equipment worth $21bn.

Russian news agency Sputnik quoted Iran Aviation Industries Organization managing director Manouchehr Manteghi as saying that the contract was signed at the MAKS-2015 air show in Russia last month.

However, he did not mention the exact number of jets to be purchased from Russia.

Manteghi said: "There is a large share of contracts for the purchase of this type of aircraft."

"We will enter into negotiation with any country which has a better offer for sales of aircraft to Iran."

The contract also covers satellite-related equipment, as well as the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional passenger aircraft.

Last July, Tehran signed a deal with six world powers for curbing its nuclear programme in exchange for economic sanction relief.

Since then, Russia and Iran have been working to boost economic ties between the countries.

Iran Vice-President Sorena Sattari expressed interest in using Russian rocket carriers to launch satellites into orbit and purchasing at least two types of military aircraft from Russia, last August.

In a separate statement, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization head stated that the country is in discussions with France, Canada and Brazil to buy the 100-seat aircraft in order to replenish its commercial fleet.

Iran Civil Aviation Organization’s Ali Abedzadeh was quoted by Press TV as saying: "We will enter into negotiation with any country which has a better offer for sales of aircraft to Iran.

"All aircraft in the world are designed and built in such a way to be capable to fly. However, not all of them can be necessarily operated in any country due to airport limitations."

Over the next decade, Iran will require more than 400 civilian aircraft worth around $20bn to modernise its fleet, which suffered during the sanction period.