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Putin lifts ban on delivery of missile systems to Iran

April 14, 2015 at 9:15 am

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree lifting a ban imposed on the delivery of S-300 missile systems to Iran, the Kremlin has revealed.

“The presidential decree lifts the ban on transit through Russian territory of S-300 air defence missile systems,” said the statement from Moscow. “Such territory includes airspace and sea lanes, and the transfer to the Islamic Republic of Iran from outside the territory of the Russian Federation.”

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the decision on Monday, pointing out that Moscow’s voluntary embargo on S-300 deliveries was no longer necessary, due to the progress in Iran’s nuclear talks, Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency reported.

“We believe that at this stage there is no longer a need for this kind of embargo, which on the Russian side was unilateral and voluntary,” he added. “Meanwhile, a modern air defence system is now very relevant to Iran, given the severe escalation of tension in neighbouring areas, especially the rapid development of military activity in Yemen in recent weeks.”

The ban was introduced by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2010.

Iran signed a contract in 2007 under which Russia was obliged to provide at least five S-300 defence systems. However, Moscow refused to deliver the surface-to-air missiles to Tehran in 2010 under the pretext that it is covered by the fourth round of the UN Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, which bans hi-tech weapon sales to Tehran.

Earlier this year, the defence ministers of Russia and Iran signed a defence and military cooperation agreement to renew the deal.