Russian S-300 anti-missile rocket system move along a central street during a rehearsal for a military parade in Moscow May 4, 2009. (Reuters)
Russia starts deliveries of S-300 systems to Iran
A nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers earlier this deal has put Sunni-ruled Gulf monarchies on edge
Russia has started the delivery of its S-300 air defense systems to Iran, TASS news agency quoted an aide to President Vladimir Putin as saying on Thursday.
“The contract is being implemented, (deliveries of S-300s) are starting,” the agency quoted Vladimir Kozhin as saying.
Last month, Russia and Iran inked the deal for the delivery of the missile systems.
A nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers earlier this deal has put Sunni-ruled Gulf monarchies on edge: They fear Tehran's rapprochement with the West will allow it to pursue an expansionist agenda in the region.
But Sergei Chemezov, the chief executive of Russian state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, said at the time the deal was inked that Gulf countries had no reason to feel threatened by the deal.
“This is defence equipment. And we are ready to offer this defence equipment to any country.”
(With Reuters)
