Russia announces contract to deliver S-300 missiles to Iran

Russia’s announcement that it had signed a contract to deliver S-300 missiles to Iran came just ahead of Netanyahu’s meeting with Obama, at which the US defense package will be discussed.

By: Atara Beck, World Israel News

Russia on Monday announced that it had signed a contract to deliver S-300 missile systems to Iran. It had put an earlier agreement on hold due to UN sanctions on Tehran.

“The contract between Russia and Iran for delivery of S-300 missile systems is back in force,” the state-run Russian Technologies corporation stated Monday.

Russia signed an $800-million contract to sell the S-300 missile system to Iran in 2007, but suspended delivery in 2010 due to strong objections from the US and Israel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree in April paving the way for the delivery. The decision was made after Iran and the P5+1 powers reached an initial framework agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program in Lausanne in April.

At the time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Russia, saying that Jerusalem views the decision with “grave concern.” The sale will “only encourage Iranian aggression in the region” and “further undermine the stability of the Middle East,” he said.

Russia’s announcement that it had finalized the sale came just ahead of Netanyahu’s meeting at the White House with US President Barack Obama later that day, at which the Israeli leader is expected to request an increased defense package.

Since the signing of the Iran nuclear deal in July, Washington has reiterated its commitment to Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME).

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, a first-class combat aircraft that can take off and land vertically, is at the top of the list of military equipment that Israel reportedly expects to receive as part of the US defense package.