Russia offers Iran new missiles despite sanctions
Russia Has Offered Iran Advanced Surface-to-air Missiles After Scrapping A Similar Deal In 2010 Because Of UN Sanctions Over Tehran’s Nuclear Programme, The State Defence Company Said Today.
Russia has offered Iran advanced surface-to-air missiles after scrapping a similar deal in 2010 because of UN sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, the state defence company said today.
Any such a deal is likely to go down badly in Washington as Western countries seek to keep up the pressure on Iran to agree a comprehensive deal on its nuclear activities.
Sergei Chemezov, head of the Rostec corporation which manages Russia’s defence industry, said Moscow has offered to supply Antey-2500 missiles, an upgraded version of the S-300 air defence system that figured in the previous contract.
“We have offered them the Antey-2500,” Chemezov was quoted as saying by RIA-Novosti news agency.
But he added: “The decision has not been made yet.”
Moscow signed a contract in 2007 to deliver S-300 missiles to Iran worth USD 800 million.
The deal was intensely criticised by the United States and Israel, and Moscow later dropped it as being in breach of UN sanctions.
A UN resolution adopted in 2010 bans the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of missiles or missiles systems.
Chemezov said the Antey-2500 is a more modern version of the S-300, which Russia no longer makes. The same surface-to-air missiles were reportedly delivered to Venezuela in 2013.
Now under Western sanctions itself over the conflict in Ukraine, Russia—a permanent member of the UN Security Council—has strengthened its alliance with Iran.
During a visit to Tehran by Russia’s defence minister last month, the two countries signed a military cooperation agreement touted as a joint response to US “interference”.
For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
More from World
EUFSC President Konstantin Ishkhanov “Thrilled†to Announce Opening of InClassica Festival in Dubai
Maiden Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise Set to Begin Between Indian Navy and Saudi Arabia Navy
Excellent job by India in reducing COVID-19 related deaths by clamping lockdown: Indian-American doc
Pak summons Indian diplomat over expulsion of 2 High Commission officials on espionage charges
Trump postpones G7 summit, wants India, others to join group