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Iran Sanctions 'Will Not Affect' Russia Missile Deal: Lavrov
10:08 - 11.06.10
Russia has said its long-standing contract to supply surface-to-air
missiles to Iran will not be affected by new UN sanctions.
Russia agreed to supply Iran with S-300 systems several years ago but
has not delivered them.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed the missiles were not
subject to the limits set by the UN on cooperation with Iran.
Speaking on a visit to Uzbekistan on Thursday, Mr Lavrov said: "As far
as military-technical cooperation is concerned, the resolution
introduces limits to cooperation with Iran on offensive weapons and
defensive weapons do not fall under these limits."
Mr Lavrov said Moscow was in talks on building nuclear reactors in
Iran in addition to the Bushehr site, due to open in August after
years of delay. "We are practically discussing this now," he told
Reuters news agency.
The US and Israel are concerned the S-300 missiles, designed to
counter both aircraft and cruise missiles, might be used to protect
Iran's nuclear facilities from possible attack.
The UN Security Council voted on Wednesday to impose a fourth round of
sanctions on Tehran for failing to halt its nuclear enrichment
programme. Iran insists it wants only atomic energy but a number of
Western countries suspect it of trying to build nuclear weapons.
The measures were passed after being watered down during negotiations
with Russia and China. Russian officials pointed out on Thursday that
the new UN Security Council resolution affected only "missiles or
missile systems as defined for the purpose of the UN Register of
Conventional Arms."
The White House said it welcomed the fact that Russia had, "up to this
point", shown "restraint" in not delivering the S-300 to Iran.
"Russia has exercised responsibility, restraint and has not delivered
those missiles to Iran," state department spokesman Philip Crowley was
quoted as saying by AFP.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian
10:08 - 11.06.10
Russia has said its long-standing contract to supply surface-to-air
missiles to Iran will not be affected by new UN sanctions.
Russia agreed to supply Iran with S-300 systems several years ago but
has not delivered them.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed the missiles were not
subject to the limits set by the UN on cooperation with Iran.
Speaking on a visit to Uzbekistan on Thursday, Mr Lavrov said: "As far
as military-technical cooperation is concerned, the resolution
introduces limits to cooperation with Iran on offensive weapons and
defensive weapons do not fall under these limits."
Mr Lavrov said Moscow was in talks on building nuclear reactors in
Iran in addition to the Bushehr site, due to open in August after
years of delay. "We are practically discussing this now," he told
Reuters news agency.
The US and Israel are concerned the S-300 missiles, designed to
counter both aircraft and cruise missiles, might be used to protect
Iran's nuclear facilities from possible attack.
The UN Security Council voted on Wednesday to impose a fourth round of
sanctions on Tehran for failing to halt its nuclear enrichment
programme. Iran insists it wants only atomic energy but a number of
Western countries suspect it of trying to build nuclear weapons.
The measures were passed after being watered down during negotiations
with Russia and China. Russian officials pointed out on Thursday that
the new UN Security Council resolution affected only "missiles or
missile systems as defined for the purpose of the UN Register of
Conventional Arms."
The White House said it welcomed the fact that Russia had, "up to this
point", shown "restraint" in not delivering the S-300 to Iran.
"Russia has exercised responsibility, restraint and has not delivered
those missiles to Iran," state department spokesman Philip Crowley was
quoted as saying by AFP.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian