Russia to provide Iran with S-300 within two monthsNovember 28, 2009 - 13:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has assured Iran it will honor a deal to supply the Islamic Republic with advanced S-300 air-defense missiles, Tehran's ambassador to Moscow said Friday."We had heard reports that Russia would not deliver these systems to Iran, but we asked the Russian side and they denied it," Seyed Mahmoud Reza Sajadi told reporters in Moscow. "The delivery deadline has already passed, but the Russian side has cited technical problems which it is working to fix," he added. "We feel that this question will be resolved in the space of one to two months." The envoy's comments came after Iranian officials had accused Moscow of violating its contract and succumbing to growing pressure from the United States and Israel to halt delivery of the missile systems. Russia, Iran's closest ally among major world powers, has never officially confirmed the S-300 contract but has reserved the right to sell arms to Iran as long as they are defensive in nature. The contract calls for Moscow to sell Tehran five batteries of S-300PMU1 missiles for a total price of around 800 million dollars (530 million euros). A top Iranian general said this month that Russia was six months late in supplying the missiles. "The contract for the delivery of the Russian S-300 systems is signed. These are defense weapons, intended particularly for the defense of Bushehr (nuclear power plant) which Russian specialists are building in southern Iran," Sajadi said. "Neither side plans to go back on this contract.... It is profitable for both sides," the diplomat said, AP reported. The S-300PMU1, codenamed the SA-20 Gargoyle by NATO, is a mobile land-based system designed to shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |