Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iran’s long-awaited decision from Russia to lift its self-imposed ban on delivering the S-300 anti-missile rocket system to the Islamic country raised a few eyebrows among the international community.

Some considered that Russia’s decision actually stand in violation of UN Security Council sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear energy program and will impact the ongoing talks between world powers and Tehran in view of reaching a final deal.

Vladimir Putin signed a decree to lift a ban on the supply of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran. The ban caused a disagreement between the two countries after Moscow canceled a corresponding contract in 2010 under pressure from the West.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry objected to Moscow's decision in a phone call to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

However, Marie Harf State Department spokeswoman at a daily briefing on April 13 said U.S. officials do not think Russia's decision to deliver a missile system to Iran would affect the major powers' unity in ongoing nuclear talks.

Russia’s decision came as world powers and Iran reached a framework deal in Lausanne on April 2 that envisages the lifting of international sanctions in exchange for Iran’s agreement to scale down its ability to produce nuclear weapons.

Israel put the blame on the framework nuclear agreement saying it paved the way for Russia’s recent move that is considered to increase Iran’s military power.

"This is a direct result of the legitimacy that Iran obtained from the emerging nuclear deal," Israeli Cabinet Minister Yuval Steinitz said, adding that the arms deal shows that Iran plans to use the relief from economic sanctions to buy arms, not improve the living conditions of its people, Aljazeera reported.

Iran quickly welcomed the decision, voicing expectation that Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems be supplied in 2015.

"I think that it will be delivered this year," said Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran was quoted by TASS as saying.

Meanwhile, Russia voiced readiness to begin the delivery of missile systems to Iran at any moment.

Dmitry Peskov, the presidential spokesman said the delivery of Russian S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran may begin at any moment in line with the relevant decree signed by the Russian president, IRNA reported.

Russia and Iran have experienced a disagreement over the delivery of the anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 under a deal earlier signed between them.

Under the $800 million contract signed in 2007 by the two countries, Russia was to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran. However, the deal was canceled in 2010 by then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, following UN sanctions on Iran due to its disputed nuclear program.

Iran has repeatedly called on Russia to abide by the terms of the agreement, which was cancelled following UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Tehran went as far as filing a $4 billion lawsuit against Russia’s intermediary agency for exports and imports of defense-related and dual use products, technologies and services, Rosoboron export with Geneva's arbitration court.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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