Russia's supply of the advanced S-300 anti-missile system to Iran will upset the US, Israel and the Gulf countries.
The process of delivery of the Russian S-300 anti-missile system has entered the implementation phase and should be completed by the end of this year, as confirmed by Russian and Iranian officials, who do not comment on the objections of certain countries that oppose the arming of Iran.
The special representative of President Putin for the Middle East and North Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, emphasizes that the decision to supply Iran with the S-300 anti-missile system has been made and that there are no deviations from it.
In 2007, Moscow signed a contract to sell the S-300 system to Tehran, however, its implementation was stopped in 2010 by the decision of former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in response to pressure from the West, which had a negative impact on relations between the two countries. Then Iran sued Russia before the Court of Arbitration in Geneva for non-fulfillment of contract items and delivery deadlines.
In the spring, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on the delivery of the S-300 anti-missile system to Iran, after which the two sides immediately began negotiations to define the terms of the new contract, given that Russia has suspended production of the old model of the S-300 anti-missile system on which refers to the previous contract.
This system is distinguished by its unique characteristics, which is why it has a good possibility of self-protection in addition to PZO defense. The S-300 system enables the interception of aircraft and all types of medium-range missiles. It is equipped with missiles five times faster than sound and can hit targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers.
Appropriate ambience
Boris Dologov, an expert on the Middle East, explains that the validity of the Russian-Iranian agreement from 2007 was suspended in response to the environment in the world, although it did not conflict with the resolutions of the Security Council, which prohibit only the sale of offensive weapons to Iran.
He adds that the current environment enables the continuation of the agreement, because there is no longer anything that would represent an obstacle to the conclusion of the agreement, after the signing of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the international six, and the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Tehran.
He adds that Russian-Iranian relations have been raised to a high level of coordination and that they agree on most issues, especially regarding the conflict in Syria and the fight against terrorism in the Middle East.
He also adds that the Russian-Iranian rapprochement worries the West, which is quite normal. However, on the other hand, it represents a strategic interest for Moscow and Iran, especially in terms of military-technical cooperation.
He also said that major industrial powers are competing to enter the Iranian market after the lifting of sanctions on Tehran in order to invest in the oil and gas sector and infrastructure reform, while Moscow wants to be a leader on that path by entering the door of military cooperation.
A worrying step
Iran affairs expert Rajab Safarov said that Russia's supply of the S-300 anti-missile system to Iran will upset the US, Israel and the Gulf countries, given that such a move will increase Iran's defense capability and strengthen the protection of its strategically important facilities from possible attacks.
He adds that the S-300 system will give Iran a strong impulse and sense of security, which will reflect on their attitude and position in the region as a force that cannot be bypassed.
Safarov adds that the former Russian President Medvedev showed kindness to the West by banning arms exports to Iran, ignoring the interests of his country. But the world is changing, and now Russia is starting to correct that situation and work on strengthening the strategic military alliance with Tehran, he said.
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