Russia to supply air defence systems to Iran : Ivanov

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Moscow, May 26 (UNI) Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov today confirmed that his country will honour its commitments to supply Tor-M1 air defence systems to Iran.

''The contract has been signed. Some time is needed to implement it. It will be done if there are no forbidding circumstances,'' Mr Ivanov told reporters at St Petersburg.

''The short-range surface-to-air missile system was designed for operation at medium, low and very low altitudes and could not be used in hypothetic terrorist activities,'' Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

Last December, Russia signed 700 million dollar contract on supplies of 29 Tor-M1 air defence systems to Iran.

Despite strong criticism from the United States, Russia has maintained that the systems could be used only to protect Iranian air space.

Mr Ivanov added that there were no restrictions on arms exports to Venezuela and Russia was ready to deliver multipurpose Sukhoi fighter jets to it.

''There are no legal restrictions on arms exports to Venezuela. I mean, of course, conventional weapons,'' he said, adding ''Venezuela is not on any sanctions or restricted regime list and has the right to buy any unrestricted weaponry in any country.'' Venezuela has recently said it wanted to purchase weapons from Russia after its relations worsened with the United States following a ban on arms sales by Russia to it.

UNI XC SHB RAI2143

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