Iran MP urges legal action over S-300

An Iranian lawmaker has called for legal action against Russia over its refusal to deliver the sophisticated S-300 missile system to the country.

Under a contract signed between the two countries in 2005, Russia was required to provide Iran with at least five S-300 missile defense systems.

After continuous delays and mixed signals regarding the delivery of the sophisticated S-300 missile system to Iran, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree last Wednesday prohibiting the delivery of the missile system to Tehran.

Javad Jahangirzadeh, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said that “Iran’s rights regarding the S-300 issue had to be recognized.”

He, however, said that any possible action by Iran to stand for its right should not be interpreted as a threat to Russia.

“[Iran’s] legally pursuing the S-300 [deal] should not be interpreted as Iran threatening Russia since Tehran does not intend to sever its historical relations with Moscow,” he told IRNA Wednesday.

He said that Russia’s decision to provide Iran with the system came as part of a “Western scenario” aimed at undermining relations between the two countries.

Despite Iran’s strong disapproval of Russia’s move, Moscow argues that the ban is justified under the UN Security Council Resolution 1929 against the Islamic Republic.

On June 9, the UN Security Council (UNSC) imposed fresh US-engineered sanctions against Iran over allegations that Tehran’s nuclear program may include a hidden military application.

Iran has criticized Russia, saying that the UN Resolution is itself “illicit and unjust,” and that such defensive weapons do not fall under the resolution.