Russia to Supply Iran with S-300 Defense Systems

Israel and the United States have repeatedly asked Russia to scrap a contract to sell Iran the truck-mounted S-300, which can shoot down hostile missiles or aircraft up to 150 km (90 miles) away.

"There is a contract to supply these systems to Iran, and we will fulfill it," Ryabkov told Interfax in an interview. "Delays (with deliveries) are linked to technical problems with adjusting these systems," he added. He also cautioned against politicizing Russia's arms exports to Iran.

"It is absolutely incorrect to put the emphasis on the issue of S-300 supplies... and to turn it into a major problem, to say nothing of linking it to the discussion on restoring trust in the purely peaceful character of Iran's nuclear program," Ryabkov said.

The possible sale of the S-300s, which could protect Iran's nuclear facilities against enemy air strikes, is an issue that frightens Israel.

Moreover, Ryabkov said Russia opposed crippling sanctions on Iran as demanded by Israel over Tehran’s nuclear program. "The term crippling sanctions is totally unacceptable to us. The sanctions should aim at buttressing the regime of non-proliferation," he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Moscow this week to press the Kremlin to back tougher sanctions against Iran.

Al-Manar