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No mention of Russian S-300 missile supplies to Iran in UN SC resolution — official

The UN Security Council resolution lists seven restrictions, and none of them mentions Russia’s S-300 air defense systems
S-300 air defense system ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Rogulin
S-300 air defense system
© ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Rogulin

TEHRAN, July 22. /TASS/. The UN Security Council resolution on Iran’s nuclear program deal does not cover Russia’s supplies of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi told a press conference on Wednesday.

"Purchasing S-300 missiles is out of jurisdiction of the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution," Aragchi said adding that the resolution lists seven restrictions, and none of them mentions Russia’s S-300 air defense systems.

The diplomat also stressed that the agreement reached between Iran and P5+1 group of international mediators (Russia, US, UK, China, France and Germany) on July 14 in Vienna "paves a way for economic cooperation with several countries that had no ties with the Islamic Republic [of Iran] because of sanctions." Aragchi reminded that Tehran maintains "cordial, positive and constructive relations" with Russia and China.

UN Security Council resolution on Iran

On Monday, the UN Security Council has unanimously adopted the resolution in support of the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. According to the document, all international sanctions will be lifted from Iran in 10 years if Tehran fulfills all conditions agreed with P5+1 group of international mediators (five permanent members of UN Security Council and Germany) in Vienna.

The resolution also envisages easing sanctions against Iran after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) submits a report confirming Tehran’s compliance with the terms of the deal. The UN Security Council also reinforced the mechanism of returning all restrictions in case Iran violates the terms of the agreement.

Russia's S-300 supplies to Iran

Under the 2007 contract, Moscow was to deliver to Tehran five divisions of the missile systems of medium range worth over $800 million. The Iranian side paid $166.8 million in advance. However, until mid-2010 the systems were not supplied to Iran.

In September 2010, then-President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on measures on implementing the UN Security Council’s resolution 1929 that in particular banned the S-300 supplies to Iran. The contract was canceled and the advance payment was sent back to the Islamic Republic.

On April 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree lifting the freeze on S-300 supplies to Iran.