Russia: S-300 contract with Iran being implemented

As the delivery of an advanced air defense system to Iran has long been overdue by Russia, a senior Russian defense official says talks are being held for the eventual transfer of the S-300 surface-to-air missile to Iran.

“Contracts have been signed, and they are being implemented – they have not been torn up,” head of the Federal Agency for Military Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriyev said Wednesday.

He, however, said that Russia has not yet decided on the date for the delivery of the systems.

Russia signed a contract with Iran on the supply of at least five S-300 air defense systems to Tehran in December 2005. However, Moscow has not so far honored the contract possibly under pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv, RIA Novosti reported.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday voiced Tehran’s disappointment over repeated delays in the delivery of the Russian missile system to Iran.

“We expect Russian officials not to be swayed by political pressure from other countries,” Ramin Mehmanparast said.

The S-300 surface-to-air missile system, which can track targets and fire at aircraft within a range of over 150 km (100 miles), features high jamming immunity and is able to simultaneously engage up to 100 targets in airstrikes.

The system, according to Western experts, would rule out the possibility of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites.