RUSSIA: Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov says Russia has delivered the TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran

Record ID: 313757

  • Title: RUSSIA: Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov says Russia has delivered the TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran
  • Date: 16th January 2007
  • Summary: (W3) MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JANUARY 16, 2007) (REUTERS) WIDE EXTERIOR OF CULTURAL CENTRE FOR RUSSIA'S ARMED FORCES WHERE DEFENCE MINISTER SERGEI IVANOV CHAIRED AN EVENT
  • Embargoed: 31st January 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA1A7RK2UF2DL4R7CKAV63KQDU2
  • Story Text: Russia has delivered new anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran and will consider further requests by Tehran for defensive weapons, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Tuesday (January 16).
    "We have supplied the modern short-range anti-aircraft systems, TOR-M1, in accordance with our contracts. The resolution (against Iran) that was adopted by the U.N. Security Council and which Russia voted for, does not extend to already signed contracts. So this contract has been honoured. We have developed out technical and military cooperation with Iran under international norms, and will develop this relationship further. Iran is not under sanctions and if it wants to buy defensive, and I stress defensive....equipment for its armed forces, then why not?," Ivanov told reporters.
    A defence ministry source later told Reuters that all deliveries of hardware under the $1 billion deal, which has been criticised by the West, have not yet been completed.
    Washington and Israel have criticised the contract to supply the TOR-M1 missiles to Iran, saying Tehran could use them against its neighbours.
    Late last year, Russia reluctantly joined U.N. sanctions against Iran, which introduced restrictions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology, aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
    But Moscow claims the sanctions do not apply to the missiles.
    The Russian military insists the missile systems will protect Iran from air attacks, but do not pose a threat to neighbouring countries.
    Last year Russia dropped the idea of selling longer-range S300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. Washington has imposed sanctions against four Russian arms firms for selling weapons to Iran and Syria.
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