Russia, Iran Agree To “Resolve” S-300 Missile Defence System Delivery

The Iranian and Russian defence ministers have agreed to resolve problems which have prevented the delivery of Russia's S-300 air defense systems to Iran.

FARS news reported that the agreement signed on Tuesday between Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and his visiting Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu includes broadening of  their defense cooperation, joint campaign against terrorism and extremism besides addressing the long delayed S-300 delivery.

In 2007, Iran signed a contract worth $800 million to buy five Russian S300 missile defense systems. But the deal was scrapped in 2010 by the then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who was unilaterally expanding on sanctions against Iran imposed by the UN Security Council.

Iran filed a $4bln lawsuit against Russia in the international arbitration court in Geneva, which is currently pending review. Moscow has struggled to have the lawsuit dropped, including by offering the Tor anti-aircraft systems as replacement, media reported in August, adding that the offer was rejected by Tehran.

While the S-300 was developed for the use by missile defense forces, the Tor Antei-2500 was specifically tailored for the needs of ground forces, which could also be an advantage for Iran, known for its large land force. Later, Iran rejected the offer, stressing that it would not change its order.

The S-300 system was developed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles for the Soviet Air Defense Forces. Subsequent variations were developed to intercept ballistic missiles.