Report: Russia to supply S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran
Report: Russia to supply S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran | JPost | Israel News.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the transfer of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, according to the prestigious Russian daily newspaper Kommersant.
The newspaper reported on Wednesday that the Russian government will revive the transfer three years after it canceled the original transaction.
According to Kommersant, the Kremlin agreed to Tehran’s request to complete the transaction, which will net the Russian treasury $800 million.
In addition to the missile deal, Russia has also agreed to construct another nuclear reactor in Bushehr. According to the Kommersant report, the two sides are expected to finalize the details of the deal this coming Friday, when Putin is expected to meet his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, in the central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan.
Kommersant reported on Wednesday that the Russians intend on supplying Iran with a less advanced version of the S-300 than originally thought.
The Russian-manufactured anti-aircraft batteries have been a source of concern to Israeli officials who fear that their enemies’ possession of them could have adverse strategic consequences.
Last month, Russia suspended the delivery of S-300 missile systems to Syria. Russian newspaper Kommersant reported the shipping of the S-300 missile systems that were expected to be delivered by July 2014. The newspaper reported that the shipments were delayed until 2015-2016 because Damascus failed to provide payment for them.
Israeli official believe that the missiles, which have a 200-kilometer range, would have the capacity to hit planes in northern Israel. It would create a no-fly zone that would make it impossible for the Israeli air force to operate along the Syrian and Lebanese border.
Putin told Russia’s First Channel that some components of the S-300 systems were delivered to Syria, but that the rest would be delayed until Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime pays for them.
Additionally, a shipment of twelve MiG-29M/M2 jets ordered in 2007, six of which were due to be delivered to Syria by the end of the year, will not be supplied before 2016-2017 because Damascus has only paid Moscow 30 percent of the agreed sum for the jets.
In May, Israel and the US asked Russia not to deliver the weapons system to Syria, but Russia said the missiles are defensive and needed by Assad in his battle against rebel groups.
WarSclerotic 
September 11, 2013 at 4:05 PM
If Israel is going to strike Iran’s nuclear sites they better get cracking as the S-300 changes everything. This is a game changer.
September 11, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Israel must act now. The dirty deal between the USA and Russia left the Middle East in flames, the US without a real military option here – never mind Iran – The Syrian regime in full acceleration, without fearing from any military action against him and the Iranians cool and quiet.
The single force here, in the middle east – and now, please, pay attention – who is fighting against the Evil Axis of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah – backed by Russia, an evil by itself – so, that single force is …Al Qaeda, which is fighting a bitter war in Syria, against Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. Its spectacular that Al Qaeda is practically helping Israel, but that is not very effective. That can be considered, from the Israeli point of view, like a sidekick but nothing more. That cannot be the way to fight Iran quickly, which its obvious what we have to do know. To my sadness, Netanyahu wont act, he is happy now for having enough rhetoric ammo after the blunders of the west and the exposure of their hypocrisy, cynicism
and stupidity, so he will be in his preferred position of making the case of a ”threatened Israel and not so many friends around.” Ok, we got that, too many times, already. But how about starting the real fight now, when nobody is expecting? Israel should start now an all out offensive against Iran, before the evil forces here will wake up from their unexpected success facing America and starting to put themselves together; and, of course, before the S-300 will enter Iran.
A surprise hit on Iran now will solve all the problems linked to their nuclear program, will embarrass USA, Russia and Britain, will cut Syria from its principal base; the hit will be executeted, of course, only if we are meaning to that. It wont be a ”discrete military strike” in Iran; it wont be also ”incredibly small”. Israel must strike Iran hard, fast, with all its capabilities concentrated in a very short time of execution. Iran, as an independent state, must cease to exist after this operation, which Israel has the assets to execute. Iran should serve as an example what will happen to a state that has threatened Israel with destruction in modern times. Israel should not only plan to destroy the nuclear facilities of Iran, Israel should annihilate Iran, as a state, by conventional tools. And that should teach the Russians a lesson or two, too. We don’t have to get in embarrassing situation, when the Russian are yelling at our military attaché, because of that little demonstration of force in the Mediterranean Sea. Lets not attack Syria. Lets attack Iran. Now.
September 11, 2013 at 5:13 PM
“To my sadness, Netanyahu wont act”
There is fork in the road, two paths.
First path US/Russia work together to defuse the region. Second path US backs away and Russia takes control and put Israel in a very sicky wicket. If it’s the second path and Netanyahu wont act. GULP. Let’s hope its the first path.
September 11, 2013 at 5:52 PM
I’m now a shill for the first path. Perhaps the S-300 are compensation for backing off atomics…..
September 11, 2013 at 5:55 PM
“The dirty deal between the USA and Russia left the Middle East in flames”
Honestly Luis, how can you say that. Why is it always the fault of the US? Haven’t we taken on enough mutual enemies? Maybe it’s time for action on the part of Israel. Sorry for the stab, but dammit, the US has done a hell of alot in the Mideast and sacrificed our young people and treasury for same. Should we just run out and blow everything this time while everyone else sits back and watches??? What is it you want?
September 11, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Read carefully what I’ve wrote. Your answer is out of the context, if referring to my comment. And there is already an answer there to ”what I want”.
September 11, 2013 at 6:28 PM
Sorry Luis. Got a little emotional, this being 911 and all.
September 11, 2013 at 6:47 PM
My heart is with the American people in this day, nine eleven, 9/11.
September 11, 2013 at 7:04 PM
No Jim,it is not a game changer for Israel.Israel can and will neutralize these missiles.Russia knows this therefore they’re saving face by claiming that the s-300’s that will be supplied to Iran are of a less advanced version.Russia can supply the Iranians with the most advanced version of these missiles and they will not change much for Israel in the skies.The s-300 has not been proven in battle yet.Israel knows the missile’s components since 2001 or possibly earlier.I predict the Russians will be embarrased if these missiles are put to use against the IDF.But the need to supply much needed capital to the Russian arms industry precedes any embarrassment for Russia.Moreover,the Russians can always claim that the Iranians failed to operate the s-300 missile batteries competently.It does take training for at least 6 months to a year to operate these missiles.I suspect Israel will strike Iran before the missile batteries become operational.
September 11, 2013 at 4:23 PM
This simply provides Israel with some incentive!
September 11, 2013 at 4:36 PM
I predicted this the day after the false flag CW attack in Damascus last month. Russia has had enough and will now restore the balance of power in the ME.
September 11, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Predict this.
September 11, 2013 at 6:04 PM
If the Russians install S300’s and another reactor in Iran, them maybe it’s time we, the US, put more missile defense batteries in Europe. Two can play this game.