"Our recommendation is consistent with the US government's commitment to promote international safety-of-flight standards and ensure the safety of all aviation passengers, including the citizens of Iran," the State Department said.

The US Federal Aviation Administration recommended immediate overhaul of US-made engines on certain Airbus planes, some of which are used by Iran Air, the statement said, and the US Departments of Commerce and State reported to Congress their recommendations to allow the sale.

"Therefore, despite our grave concerns regarding the Iranian regime's activities, we believe this decision is consistent with our commitment to support the Iranian people and to use US sanctions to target the regime, not the Iranian people."

The extensive US regime of sanctions against Iran was first implemented after the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 1980 in the wake of Iran's takeover of the US embassy in Tehran in November 1979.

While trade between the two countries is severely restricted, the US sanctions permit licenses that allow Iran to purchase civilian aircraft spare parts.

The US Department of Treasury license would allow a US company to export parts and technical data for US-built aero-turbine engines.

All repairs are to be performed in third countries and no exports will go directly to Iran, the statement said.

The announcement comes as the United States pushes for UN sanctions on Iran over its uranium enrichment program, which the US believes aims at producing a nuclear weapon.

"Through its support for terrorism and pursuit of a nuclear weapons program in defiance of its international obligations, the Iranian regime continues to subordinate the Iranian people's interests to its own extremist agenda," the State Department said.

"Our recommendation is consistent with the US government's commitment to promote international safety-of-flight standards and ensure the safety of all aviation passengers, including the citizens of Iran," the statement said.

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