The S-300 missile system. Photo: Wikipedia.

Russia is preparing the contract for the delivery of advanced S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran, Israeli news website nrg reported on Monday.

According to the report, the contract is being written up by JSC Rosoboronexport, the sole state intermediary agency for Russia’s imports and exports of defense-related and dual-use products, technologies and services.

In August, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan announced that Tehran and Moscow had reached a final agreement on the delivery of the missile system.

Iran claims it had initially received Russian approval of the sale in 2007, but former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev subsequently signed a decree banning the sale of the missile system and other military equipment to Iran, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929.

Following the signing in April of the framework nuclear deal between Iran and world powers — which led to the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in July — Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban and allowed the sale to proceed.

Israel has long opposed the transfer of the system to Iran as it could help secure the country’s nuclear program against aerial strikes.