'Powers influenced Russia on S-300 deal'
Iranian Defense Minister blames Russia for giving into West's pressure by negating on Tehran-Moscow missile defense systems deal; says Russia's claim that deal violated UN Security Council sanctions false, since it was signed in 2007
Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi lashed out at Russia Monday over its refusal to see the two's S-300 missile systems deal through, saying it capitulated to Western power's attempts to disrupt Tehran-Moscow ties.
Russia already announced it would pay Iran about $800 million to compensate for faltering on the deal. the deal was nixed after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev outlawed the delivery of the high-precision missiles to Iran, saying that sending them would violate sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council in June.
"Furthermore, the delivery date of S-300 systems was two years before the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1929," he added.
The Iranian official criticized Russia, saying that since Resolution 1929 does not specifically ban the delivery of defensive missiles, Moscow has no excuse for refusing to commit to the deal. "We believe that meeting commitments by regional countries can strengthen trust... and create a strong security bond that will help achieve common goals and interests," said Vahidi.
The S-300 missile defense system is capable of shielding Iranian nuclear sites from potential Israeli airstrikes.
Meanwhile, the Fars News Agency reported that
a senior Iranian legislator called on the government to file a lawsuit against Russia following the botched deal.
"The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran should pursue the case with Russia's lack of commitment to the delivery of the system," Kazzem Jalali, rapporteur of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said.
"According to the S-300 contract, our country should take legal action in accordance with the contents of the deal in a bid to restore the inalienable rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added.
Jalali further cautioned that such disloyalties will cause Iranians' mistrust of the Russians: "Iranian officials have warned Russia on frequent occasions that the Iranian nation has become distrustful of the Russians, and that action should be taken to bring down this wall of mistrust among the public opinion."
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