Friday, December 28, 2007

Russia Denies Iran Claim on Missile Sales

Russia's Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service (FSVTS) denied the claim by Iran’s defense minister that Russia was prepared to sell advanced S-300 air defense missile system to Iran.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Mostafa Najjar surprised the world earlier this week by announcing that Russia had signed a contract with Iran to sell S-300 missiles despite a strong US warning against the sale.

“The question of deliveries of S-300 systems to Iran, is not currently taking place, is not being considered and is not being discussed at this time with the Iranian side," said the FSVTS statement.

1 comment:

Mark Pyruz said...

This the second public denial this year by a major power regarding important weapons purchases by Iran, the other being J-10 fighter planes from China. From the position of Russia (and China), these potential arms exports represent substantial sales, with strong financial motivations to see them through to fruition, possibly on track with a projected detente between the US, its allies and Iran.