Russian FM defends Moscow's lifting of S-300 ban
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has defended his country’s decision to provide Iran with the S-300 missile system, stressing that the move would not pose a threat to the security of any country in the Middle East.
He made the comments shortly after the Kremlin said in a Monday statement that President Vladimir Putin had signed a presidential decree paving the way for the long-overdue delivery of the surface-to-air missiles to Iran.
The missile deliveries have not been part of the UN sanctions on Iran, the Russian minister said, adding that President Putin’s go-ahead for the shipment of the missiles came after Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany - reached a mutual understanding on Tehran’s nuclear program in the Swiss city of Lausanne on April 2.
During the talks in Switzerland, the six world powers made “substantial progress in resolving” the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program, Lavrov said. “We believe that at this stage there is no longer need for this kind of embargo - from the Russian side- it was unilateral and voluntary.”
He highlighted that the missile system is "exclusively defensive" and will not “put at risk the security of any state in the region.”
“Meanwhile, a modern air defense system is now very relevant to Iran, especially taking into account the severe escalation of tensions in neighboring areas and especially the rapid development of military activity in Yemen in recent weeks,” Lavrov stated.
The planned delivery sparked concerns in Washington while the Israeli regime denounced the move. However, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Russia’s decision to lift the ban indicates the political will of the two countries’ officials to improve cooperation in all fields.
Under a contract signed in 2007, Russia was obliged to provide Iran with at least five S-300 defense systems.
However, Moscow refused to deliver the surface-to-air missiles to Tehran in 2010 under the pretext that it is covered by the fourth round of the United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, which bars hi-tech weapons sales to Tehran.
Following Moscow’s refusal to deliver the system, Iran filed a USD four-billion suit against the Russian arms firm, Rosoboronexport, with the International Court of Arbitration in Geneva.
MR/NN
Russia downs over 40 Ukrainian drones as Putin vows 'destruction' on Kiev
Ukraine to cede territory despite US support: Report
Russia arrests suspect 'recruited by Ukraine' over killing of top general
'Next to impossible' to rescue patients from Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital: Director
VIDEO | Vietnam current prosperity
Report blames gasoil exports for shortage at Iranian power plants
VIDEO | Hind Rajab Foundation names Israeli war criminals vacationing after Gaza genocide
VIDEO | Australians rally for Gaza ahead of Christmas festivities
VIDEO | Attacks on Sana'a
Iran reports further drop in annual inflation rate in December
Israel indicts two settlers over suspected spying for Hezbollah
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
