Iran

UAV Laws

As of August 2018, there is no special law or regulation for drone operations in Iran. However there is a recommended directive (not yet entered into force) on Remotely Piloted Aircraft by the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran which provides several rules for operating drones in the country (Directive 7506). Same as other countries such as Finland and Norway, this directive sees fit to distinguish between Model Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. In other words we can see the “intention based approach” (not risk based approach) for drone operations in this directive.

It should be noted that it is difficult to assert that the general and traditional laws and regulations of aviation, regulate the operations of drones in Iran. This is because that the definition of Aircraft in the Civil Aviation Act of 1949 only relates to any vehicle that capable for transportation of things or passengers. Moreover, the historical and purposive interpretation of the Civil Aviation Act, could support this opinion. But the Administrative Justice Court of Iran, did not accept this view and rejected it and recognized that the government has a legal power to regulate drone operations on the basis of the Civil Aviation Law of 1949.

Beside the Civil Aviation Act, there is a Cabinet regulation titled “the regulation to manage and organize non-military ultralight flying vehicles” that is approved on August 2007. For the purpose of this regulation, what is meant by flying vehicle is all of the ultralight non-military flying vehicles such as flying vehicles with and without an engine, one or two-seater aircraft or unmanned ones and model aircrafts whose weight, at the time of takeoff, is at most 600 kilograms. In accordance with this regulation, drone operators should follow several administrative rules and operational requirements. Registration of vehicle to the registry of the Civil Aviation Organization, obtaining a valid flight certificate from the Civil Aviation Organization and certificate of technical inspection from the accredited agencies as well as third party insurance coverage, are some basic rules which should be followed by drone operators.