Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Russia

Russia Vows To Pursue Defense Cooperation With Iran

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov (file photo) (epa)

13 January 2006 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov today said that his country will help Iran modernize its air defense systems as agreed last month despite the escalating dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

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January 13, 2006

Under a $700 million contract signed in early December, Russia is to supply Iran with some 30 Tor-M1 ground-to-air missiles in the coming months.

Addressing reporters in Moscow, Ivanov -- who is also first deputy prime minister -- denied press reports that a Russian delegation was in Tehran recently to negotiate the sale of S-300 anti-ballistic missile systems.

"[These reports] do not correspond to reality. No military delegation went to Tehran, or to Iran in general. There haven't been such talks," Ivanov said.

Russia's "Kommersant" daily today said a military delegation had withdrawn from talks with Iran about the sale of S-300 systems after Tehran broke international seals on its uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz.

(compiled from agency reports)

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