Russia denies fighter sales to Syria, Iran

MOSCOW, June 19 (Reuters) Russia's state arms exporter denied a newspaper report today that it planned to supply jet fighters to Syria and Iran.

Russian daily Kommersant quoted unnamed sources in the military-industrial complex as saying Moscow had begun shipments of five MiG-31E interceptor fighters to Syria and that Iran would benefit from the sales.

''Russia has no plans to deliver fighters to Syria and Iran,'' Rosorobon export chief Sergei Chemezov told reporters at the Paris air show, Russian news agencies said.

Interfax news agency said a source in the Russian delegation at Le Bourget had said earlier an unspecified West Asian nation'' had become the first buyer of MiG-31E interceptors, paying a total of 400 million dollar under the contract.

The United States imposed sanctions last year on Russian arms companies, including Rosobonexport, for sales to Syria and Iran.

Russia says the sanctions breach international law.

Russian officials said this year Russia had completed a contract to deliver TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran, drawing criticism from the United States.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian arms firms have pushed arms sales abroad as the Kremlin seeks to reassert its influence in the West Asia, Asia and Africa.

REUTERS PY RAI2300