Russia: We sold air defense missile systems to Iran

Russian defense minister confirms first missile deal between Moscow, Tehran implemented; Russian officials say missiles are purely defensive weapons with limited range

Associated Press
Published: 01.16.07, 15:47 / Israel News

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Tuesday that Russia has sold Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran. It was the first high-level confirmation that such a sale took place.

“We sent Tor-M1 missiles to Iran in accordance with the contract,” Ivanov told reporters. Previous reports had cited unnamed officials reporting the sale.

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Ivanov did not specify how many missile systems had been delivered, but a ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity said not all the systems contracted for had been delivered.

Ministry officials have previously said Moscow would supply 29 of the sophisticated missile systems to Iran under a USD 700 million contract signed in December, according to Russian media reports.

“If the Iranian leadership has a desire to purchase more defense weapons, we would do that,” Ivanov said, without elaborating.

The Tor-M1 deal, involving conventional weapons, does not violate any international agreements.

Russian officials say that the missiles are purely defensive weapons with a limited range.

The Tor-M1 system can identify up to 48 targets and fire at two targets simultaneously at a height of up to 6,000 meters.

Russian media have reported previously that Moscow had conducted talks on selling even more powerful long-range S-300 air defense missiles, but Russian officials have denied that.

Moscow already has a lucrative, USD 800 million contract to build Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is nearly complete.

Russia strongly supports Iran’s right to nuclear energy but has joined the United States and Europe in demanding it halt enrichment to ease concerns.

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