Senior MP: Iran to Gradually Import S-300 Missile Shield’s Equipment

“Based on the contract and the agreement inked between Iran and Russia, the missile systems’ equipment will be transferred to the country in parts,” Head of the parliament’s Defense Commission Esmayeel Kosari said on Sunday.

“Based on the time-table, the S-300 parts will be sent to Iran in different stages and its parts, including missiles, launch-pads and radars, will be delivered to the country gradually,” he added.

Kosari said that the large volume of S-300 parts is the reason behind its gradual delivery to Iran.

Last Sunday, Iran displayed the first S-300 air defense missile system imported from Russia earlier this month.

A battalion of the S-300 missile defense system was showed off today without displaying the missiles.

The missile defense shield went on display on the occasion of the national Army Day during which military parades were held in Southern Tehran in the presence of President Hassan Rouhani.

Russia is due to deliver several more S-300 missile shields to Iran by the end of this year.

Russia had announced earlier this month that the first shipment of S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran will be made within days.

Moscow and Tehran signed a contract for the delivery of five battalion sets of S-300 PMU1 air defense missile systems in 2007.

In 2010, Moscow suspended the contract, citing a UN Security Council resolution banning weapon sales to Tehran until it proved the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. The resolution only banned the delivery of offensive, and not defensive, weapons systems. Hence, Iran sued Moscow at an international court of arbitration. But Tehran dropped the lawsuit after Russia said in 2015 that it would start the delivery.

In 2015, Moscow annulled the S-300 delivery ban, after Iran and the six world powers, including Russia, reached a framework nuclear deal to lift the anti-Tehran sanctions in exchange for guarantees of the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

Russia and Iran are expected to fulfill the S-300 contracts in 2016. Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hassan Firouzabadi said in February that Tehran would soon announce the dates of the deliveries.