Russia starts delivery of S-300s to Iran

Russia has begun delivering S-300 air defense systems to Iran that could help repel any Israeli and U.S. air strikes on its nuclear sites.

Izvor: Reuters

Sunday, 21.12.2008.

16:18

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Russia has begun delivering S-300 air defense systems to Iran that could help repel any Israeli and U.S. air strikes on its nuclear sites. "After a few years of talks with Russia...now the S-300 system is being delivered to Iran," the official IRNA news agency quoted Email Kosari, deputy head of parliament's Foreign Affairs and National Security committee, as saying. Russia starts delivery of S-300s to Iran Kosari did not say when the deliveries began. Iran's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report. The United States, its European allies, and Israel say Iran is seeking to build nuclear arms under the cover of a civilian atomic energy program. Iran denies the charge. Israel's insistence that Iran must not be allowed to develop an atomic bomb has fueled speculation that the Jewish state, widely assumed to have the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, could mount its own pre-emptive strikes. In October, Russia's Foreign Ministry denied media speculation that Moscow would sell the medium-range S-300 system, adding Moscow had no intention of selling weapons to "troubled regions." But Russia's RIA news agency last week quoted "confidential sources" as saying that Russia was fulfilling a S-300 contract with Iran. The most advanced version of the S-300 system can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 kilometers away. It is known in the West as the SA-20. Russian arms sales and nuclear cooperation with Iran have strained relations with Washington, which says Tehran could use them against their interests in the region and also against its neighbors. Russia, building Iran's first nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr, says Tehran does not have the capability to make nuclear weapons.

Russia starts delivery of S-300s to Iran

Kosari did not say when the deliveries began. Iran's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report.

The United States, its European allies, and Israel say Iran is seeking to build nuclear arms under the cover of a civilian atomic energy program. Iran denies the charge.

Israel's insistence that Iran must not be allowed to develop an atomic bomb has fueled speculation that the Jewish state, widely assumed to have the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, could mount its own pre-emptive strikes.

In October, Russia's Foreign Ministry denied media speculation that Moscow would sell the medium-range S-300 system, adding Moscow had no intention of selling weapons to "troubled regions."

But Russia's RIA news agency last week quoted "confidential sources" as saying that Russia was fulfilling a S-300 contract with Iran.

The most advanced version of the S-300 system can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 kilometers away. It is known in the West as the SA-20.

Russian arms sales and nuclear cooperation with Iran have strained relations with Washington, which says Tehran could use them against their interests in the region and also against its neighbors.

Russia, building Iran's first nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr, says Tehran does not have the capability to make nuclear weapons.

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