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Russia to Offer Iran an Air Defense System

Oh yes, and will help revive nuclear talks as well

by
Adam Chandler
July 24, 2013
S-300(PressTV)
S-300(PressTV)

Vladimir Putin is a nice guy. If you make a deal to buy a Russian air defense system–like Syria did–he will keep his promise to get the system delivered, even if the entire world begs him not to.

Or if your country is facing crippling sanctions because it’s building an illicit nuclear program that the international community vehemently opposes–like Iran is–don’t worry, Putin will come visit and lend a hand in reviving the fruitless negotiations over the program. And, for the right price, Putin will even sell you a sophisticated air defense system…you know…for good luck.

Russia Today reported that part of the reason behind Putin’s trip is to “offer Iran to purchase S-300VM Antey-2500 air defense systems, according to defense industry sources.” The anti-ballistic missile and anti-aircraft system has an operational range of 200 kilometers and an estimated price tag of $120 million.



According to the Russian news site, the sale of S-300s is “meant to convince Tehran to revoke its complaint against Russia over the canceled deal to deliver five batteries of S-300 antimissiles, which was signed in 2007 but scrapped in 2010 when then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law limiting Russia’s military cooperation with Iran.”

The air defense system, like the one set to arrive in Syria, has been described as a “game-changer” by Israeli officials.

Adam Chandler was previously a staff writer at Tablet. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, Slate, Esquire, New York, and elsewhere. He tweets @allmychandler.