Russia to deliver S-300 missiles to Iran soon

Russia and Iran have successfully concluded talks on the delivery of Russian made S-300 missiles which should take place “quite soon”, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed yesterday.

Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency quoted Abdollahian, following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow, saying: “The negotiations on the subject have successfully ended. I estimate that the S-300 delivery will take place in quite a short time.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not confirm Abdollahian’s statements but noted “the importance of maintaining a regular dialogue between Russia and Iran on the subject.”

Until now, Tehran has expected the delivery of the sophisticated surface-to-air missiles by the end of the year.

Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev blocked the sale in 2010, but in April President Vladimir Putin gave a green light to the sale after Iran struck a framework agreement with the P5+1 group over its nuclear programme.

The US criticised the sale saying it does not help efforts to conclude a final agreement with Tehran over its nuclear programme.