Russia confirms Iran air defense sale
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Friday, 26 May 2006: 16.52 CET) – Russia will honor its commitment to supply Iran with Tor-M1 air defense systems, according to the country's Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
"The contract was signed and we need time to fulfill it. It will be fulfilled if nothing unforeseen happens," Ivanov was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.
Russia is to sell 29 of the sophisticated missile systems to the Islamic republic, earning US$700 million in the deal, which was signed in late 2005.
The sale is unlikely to find favor with the US or Israel which would like to maintain the option of a military response should Iran refuse to compromise on its nuclear program.
Russia is Iran's primary nuclear partner and has maintained its opposition to the imposition of punitive measures against the Islamic republic by the UN Security Council.
The Jerusalem Post reports that the US called on the international community last month to halt all arms sales to Iran and end all nuclear cooperation with the hard-line Islamic regime.
In a nod to such concerns, Ivanov said that the Tor-M1 was designed for operation at low to medium altitudes and "could not be used in hypothetical terrorist activities".
The Interfax news agency quoted the Russian minister as saying: "As far as Russia's position is concerned, we strictly abide by all nonproliferation regimes, and when we hear reproaches that Russia is secretly helping Iran - it is just propaganda."
"The contract was signed and we need time to fulfill it. It will be fulfilled if nothing unforeseen happens," Ivanov was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.
Russia is to sell 29 of the sophisticated missile systems to the Islamic republic, earning US$700 million in the deal, which was signed in late 2005.
The sale is unlikely to find favor with the US or Israel which would like to maintain the option of a military response should Iran refuse to compromise on its nuclear program.
Russia is Iran's primary nuclear partner and has maintained its opposition to the imposition of punitive measures against the Islamic republic by the UN Security Council.
The Jerusalem Post reports that the US called on the international community last month to halt all arms sales to Iran and end all nuclear cooperation with the hard-line Islamic regime.
In a nod to such concerns, Ivanov said that the Tor-M1 was designed for operation at low to medium altitudes and "could not be used in hypothetical terrorist activities".
The Interfax news agency quoted the Russian minister as saying: "As far as Russia's position is concerned, we strictly abide by all nonproliferation regimes, and when we hear reproaches that Russia is secretly helping Iran - it is just propaganda."
posted by Marko at 5/26/2006 01:24:00 PM
<< Home