Russia is considering selling a new generation air defense system to Iran.

The S-300 missile system. (Source: Reuters)

Regional sources indicate that Russia may sell a superior surface-to-air missile system compared to the S-300 system that Moscow had pledged to deliver to Iran this year after years of delays.

Sources from the Iranian Ministry of Defense confirmed on July 25 that the nuclear agreement recently signed between Iran and the P5+1 group (comprising the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) allows Tehran to receive a more advanced air defense system than the S-300.

Negotiations between Iran and Russia on this issue are nearing completion.

According to the same source, if negotiations continue at their current pace, Russia could deliver the new air defense system to Iran by the end of this year.

Acquiring the S-300 system or another more modern air defense system would allow Iran to protect its airspace from any airstrikes.

Last April, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree lifting the ban on selling S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran, shortly after Tehran reached a framework nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group.

(According to VN+)