Russia begins delivering S-300 to Iran, US and West concerned

The transfer of one of the world's most advanced air defense missile systems to Iran is worrying news for both the US and NATO.

Iran's Foreign Ministry official confirmed on April 11 that the country has received the first shipment from Russia under a contract to supply S-300 air defense missile systems after many years of interruption.

Iran's Mehr news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jaberi Ansari as saying that despite the change in delivery time, the contract between Iran and Russia is in the process of being implemented. The first batch of equipment has arrived in Iran and the next batches will continue to be made.

S-300 missile. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense.

The $800 million contract between Russia and Iran was signed in 2007 for Russia to deliver five S-300 systems to Iran. However, the contract was suspended in 2010 due to a UN Security Council resolution banning arms sales to Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Along with receiving modern air defense systems from Russia, Iran has also recently announced the strengthening of its missile power, despite new US sanctions aimed at curbing the country's defense capabilities.

Iran believes that strengthening its defense capabilities is a legitimate and legal right. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif affirmed: “Iran’s missile system and strengthening the defense capabilities of the Islamic nation of Iran are not negotiable. If the US government is truly concerned about the defense issues in the Middle East, it should limit the sale of weapons to countries in the region – which are used to kill innocent Yemenis.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly asserted that the S-300 is a purely defensive missile system and does not pose a threat to the security of any country in the region. However, the implementation of this agreement may cause concern for the US, NATO and even Israel.

Immediately after Russia announced the resumption of the contract with Iran, US officials repeatedly expressed concerns that this surface-to-air missile system could be used for other purposes, or fall into the hands of those who support terrorism in the region.

The S-300 surface-to-air missile system is an anti-aircraft, cruise and ballistic missile defense weapon, with a range of up to 200 km, capable of engaging multiple targets and shooting down an aircraft at an altitude of 20 km.

According to the German weekly Stern, this range and capability could allow Iran to place the S-300 system in locations that would strengthen its air defenses far beyond its borders. According to the German newspaper, this system could create a large no-go zone on the map, where the Western military machine would also become less effective.

The delivery of the S-300 system to Iran is seen as the start of closer military cooperation between Russia and Iran. A series of visits by senior officials from both countries to discuss arms contracts have been made since Iran reached a nuclear deal with world powers.

Besides defense and economic cooperation, the coordination between Russia and Iran in recent hot issues of the world such as the war in Syria, Yemen, and the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) group not only helps solve the economic problems of the two countries but also helps to enhance the position of the two countries in the international arena.

According to VOV