LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - Britain has suspended Iranian airline
Mahan Air's operating permit on safety grounds, a Department of Transport
spokesman said on Saturday.

In June, Mahan Air increased the regularity of its flights from
Tehran to Manchester to five times a week.

"We suspended the operating permit of Mahan Air on Friday night as
it's not able to operate safely," said a Department of Transport spokesman.

"It has been involved in a number of recent incidents which suggests
a poor level of operational control, planning and safety management," he
said.

"We'll with work with EU and other partners to help Air Mahan to
rectify any deficiencies, but we won't allow them to recommence operations
until they have convinced us they can do it safely."