Russia under US pressure over Iran S-300 deal

A senior Iranian commander says the US and Israel are exerting pressure on Russia to force it into refusing to deliver the S-300 missile system to Iran.

“Delay in the delivery of Russia’s S-300 missile system to Iran is the result of pressure from the US and Israel on the country,” Maj. Gen. Mohammad-Ali Jafari, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said.

Tehran and Moscow signed an $800 million contract in 2007, which has obliged Russia to deliver five S-300 systems to the Islamic Republic.

On Tuesday, a senior Iranian military official said that Tehran may react to Moscow’s failure to fulfill the contract through legal action.

“The Russians have failed to meet their commitment due to pressure form the Zionist Lobby and the Americans,” Brigadier General Mohammad Hassan Mansourian said on Tuesday.

“As this contract is official, [Iran] can pursue its implementation through international legal bodies,” Mansourian added.