Russia Says No Need for UN Approval to Sell Su-30 Jet to Iran

"The Russian side has filed no applications with the United Nations Security Council for approval of sales of Su-30 fighter jets to Iran. There is no such item on the agenda," a well-informed source said on Tuesday as cited by the Tass news agency.

"The weapons embargo against Tehran exists no longer," the source added.

Noting that the weapons embargo against Tehran is no longer in place following a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and six powers, the source said, "A new, authorization-based procedure of supplies of weapons and spare parts to Iran has been established. It is applicable to seven categories of the United Nations register of conventional arms. These categories include in particular warplanes, assault helicopters, warships, artillery systems, missiles, etc. In formal terms, their supplies are not banned either but a corresponding application is to be endorsed by the United Nations Security Council."

Elsewhere, the Russian source referred to the delivery of S-300 surface-to-air defense missile system to Iran, saying, "No permits are needed for sales of such systems to Iran," he said. "It is not even necessary to notify anyone."

The remarks came after a senior State Department official said Washington will wield its veto power to block sales of Russia weapons, such as Su-30 fighter jets, T-90 tanks and combat helicopters, to Iran.

"The sale of Su-30 fighter aircraft is prohibited under UNSCR 2231 without the approval of the UN Security Council and we would block the approval of any sale of fighter aircraft under the restrictions," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

Resolution 2231, adopted by the Security Council on July 20, 2015, endorsed a nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group, comprising Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany.