Iran Positive about Receiving S-300 Missiles, Sukhoi-30s
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, expressed the hope that Russia will deliver the S-300 missile defense system to Iran and also agree to sell Su-30 fighter jets to the country.
Based on a contract signed between the two countries, Russia is required to provide Iran with S-300 defense system batteries but has delayed the delivery for years on various pretexts including sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on Iran.
Iran has yet to receive the defense system even after the recent termination of the sanctions as per a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
Velayati said in a televised interview on Saturday night that the delivery will definitely take place, but it would take some time.
He said in a meeting he recently had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader made assurances that Moscow would fulfill all of its commitments toward Tehran.
Under the previous contract signed in 2007, Russia was required to provide Iran with at least five S-300 defense system batteries.
But the contract, worth more than $800 million, was revoked after then-President Dmitry Medvedev banned the supply of those systems to Tehran in 2010.
Later, Iran lodged a $4 billion lawsuit at an international court in Geneva against Russia’s arms export agency.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin decided in April last year to lift the ban on the S-300 missile system delivery to Iran.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Velayati hailed the ties between Tehran and Moscow, saying the two sides have common problems and are faced with the same threats, and thus can have long-term cooperation.
“Some European countries are not even willing to give us a single cannonball or bullet, but Russia is ready to provide us with Sukhoi-30 fighter jets,” he added.
In February, Iran’s Defense Minister said the country will sign a contract with Russia for the purchase of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets.
Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan did not specify how many fighter planes Iran will buy, or give a timeline for the signing of the deal. He said, however, that under the planned agreement, Iran would also be involved in the production of the aircraft.
Iran needs to “seriously focus on the air force and fighters,” he said. “We are moving toward a contract. We told them that we need to be involved in the production (of the plane) as well.”
