Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran's "positive" behavior was a factor in his decision to renew a missile deal with the Islamic Republic. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Russian President Vladimir Putin cited Iran’s “positive” behavior and “flexibility” during the nuclear talks with world powers as playing a role in his decision to renew a contract to deliver the advanced S-300 missile defense system to the Islamic Republic.

“And now with the progress of the Iranian nuclear track—and that is obviously positive—we do not see any reason to continue to keep the ban (on the delivery of the S-300) unilaterally,” Putin said in an annual televised call-in show, Reuters reported.

Putin also insisted that the missile defense system would not pose a threat to Israel. The Jewish state, which has been highly critical of the recently reached framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, fears that the deal will allow Iran to assert more regional dominance by supporting terrorist groups like Hezbollah that pose a direct threat to Israel.

“After this arms deal [for the S-300], is there anyone who can seriously claim that the [framework] agreement with Iran will increase the security in the Middle East?” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this week.