Iran to Receive First Delivery of Missile-Defense System From Russia
by David Daoud
Iran is set to receive its first S-300 air defense system unit from Russia Thursday (February 18), the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan will participate in the delivery ceremony, which will take place in the Russian city of Astrakhan, on the Caspian sea.
In 2007, Iran signed a deal with Russia for the purchase of five S-300 units. Moscow suspended the contract in 2010, citing the UN Security Council’s Resolution placing an arms embargo on Tehran. However, Russia reversed that decision last April.
The Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system is considered to be one of the most advanced in the world. It is capable of intercepting and shooting down multiple aircraft and long-range cruise and ballistic missiles.