Russia says air-defence missile deal will be unaffected by Iran sanctions

[The abyss]

Source: scotsman


RUSSIA said yesterday that the new UN sanctions did not forbid the delivery of S-300 air-defence missiles to Iran.

Israel and the United States have urged Russia not to supply the missile systems, which would substantially increase Iran's defence capability. Russia agreed to sell the missiles in 2007, but has not yet delivered them.

Russian foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said the UN resolution did not apply to air-defence systems, with the exception of shoulder-fired missiles.

Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Co-operation, which oversees arms trade, also said the new UN resolution would not affect the S-300 deal.

"Russia is in no way bound by the UN Security Council resolution in relation to supplies of the S-300 air-defence systems to Iran, and work on that contract is under way," he said.



Read more: http://news.scotsman.com/world/Russia-says-airdefence-missile-deal.6355501.jp

[ixion]

1. Yeah, the US and Israel hate it when countries they want to invade

can actually defend themselves.

[Wizard777]

2. Enter the arms race. Maybe if took away some of Israel's nukes Iran would feel less of a need -

for those conventional weapons. Both Russia and USA need to apply what we have learned in the cold war to our middle east allies.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. What will happen when the Russian SAMs work about as well as they did in Syria

[David__77]

5. Syria has never deployed S-300s.

...

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Its not the missiles...

[Wizard777]

8. We need to accept that Israels nukes are going to become a Major issue in the Iran debate.

We must be very careful not to buy into the rampant and institutionalized Xenophobia that permeates the Middle East. There appear to be a huge bias. The possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon program is a huge threat. Yet Israels nuclear weapons by the hundreds are of no concern. But that because they are undeclared and uninspected. Because that tells Iran where they screwed up was in being open and allowing IAEA inspections. If they had a "textile program" like Israel. Suddenly their nuclear ambitions are no longer a problem. We need a uniform and universal nuclear policy. We can't have a nuclear policy that is the modern day equivalent of Whites only no Negro's allowed. We can't have separate rules for different peoples.

[David__77]

12. NPT should be scrapped.

The problem is not Israel acquiring weapons, the problem is unequal international treaties like NPT that attempt to hamstring states' defense capacity and turns them into potential victims of nuclear blackmail. The non-aligned movement and other developing country organizations should be clear on this question and encourage the end of NPT.

[Wizard777]

16. If It's replaced with a Uniform and Universal Nuclear Policy. I agree.

[David__77]

4. Deploying these defense missiles is a peace measure.

It will help stabilize the region. The security of sovereign states is a cornerstone of peace.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. "The security of sovereign states is a cornerstone of peace." is part of the reasoning

used for the flotilla boarding and Operation Cast Lead. You sure you want to go there?

[liberation]

9. That is a blatantly false analogy, "professor"

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Its not an analogy

its a key part of the rationale used by Israel to defend their actions.

If he accepts it for Iran, he will have to accept it for Israel

[liberation]

19. ... no content with your initial fallacy, you up the ante with a false dichotomy.

LOL

[ProgressiveProfessor]

20. Not at all

The poster I replied to is heading down an curious road given his prior position

[AlphaCentauri]

10. on international waters?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. Review the relevant chapters of CLOS. Under it, the boarding of a declared blockade runner

is legal even in international waters. Surprised me but it is there.

[AlphaCentauri]

17. Interesting, how many countries have blockades at this time?

have not seen such accions before

[ProgressiveProfessor]

21. How many active armed conflicts with maritime aspects are their going on at this time?

Note the UK declared a MEZ around the Falklands when Argentina invaded and had to be removed militarily.

[David__77]

11. If it was Israeli territory, I would agree.

I have not shied away from saying that. The problem is that it was not Israeli territory. And even if it were, the appropriateness political exposure for the method they (Israel) used is one thing, while interfering in their internal affairs by supporting legal/international sanctions is another. It is not Israel that is facing sanctions at the UN due to a nominally self-defensive measure - it is Iran.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. The sanctions on Iran are not over "a nominally self-defensive measure"

The question is whether or not the S-300s are covered by the sanctions imposed for other things. Russia has made clear that they will not allow that to happen. That is not being done for high minded reasons. Its being done to insure that they get paid for them.

[David__77]

18. OK, they are over a real self-defensive measure.

Russia's intent is not important. It is the practical impact of Iran possessing self-defense capacity. My wording "nominal" was of more applicability to the flotilla case.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

22. Be honest and call it what it is...Iran is being sanctioned over nuclear weapon development

Nuclear weapons are not exactly defensive weapons, but more counterstrike weapons.

[David__77]

23. Huh?

I was talking about the Russian self-defense systems, not atomic weapons. I do not know anything about Iran possessing nuclear weapons. I am not aware of any evidence that they possess them or are developing them. I think more and more countries should pursue nuclear energy - it could really serve as a powerful locomotive for world economic development.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

25. The sanctions have nothing to do with Iran purchasing S-300s or other weapons

Its about their nuclear program, Google it

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-ed-sanctions-20100610,0,5349934.story

[The abyss]

24. Bushehr Reactor is an energy project

partially funded and fully supported with Russian rubles, Russian personnel and Russian technology.

The Russians are more than willing to defend their investment and their trading partner
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?ID=171383

I think the “bear” has been making it clear all along
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1413223820100414

Quote: The launch is scheduled for August. We're on schedule," Sergei Kiriyenko told reporters in Argentina during a visit. "Bushehr doesn't threaten the regime of nonproliferation in any way. No one has any concerns about Bushehr."

I don’t see this sale as a rubles/bucks on the barrel head. I see it as a line drawn “don’t tread on me”.

[Prometheus Bound]

26. Russia now says Iran sanctions ban S-300 missiles

By LYNN BERRY (AP) – 3 hours ago

MOSCOW — The new U.N. sanctions prevent Russia from delivering S-300 air-defense missiles to Iran, a Kremlin official said Friday, in a reversal of the position announced by Russia's Foreign Ministry the day before.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jwgjCj_5_J7wBULdtaiWmKFgtj1QD9G990401

[cosmicone]

27. Which means Russians want more money hahahaha n/t

[Prometheus Bound]

28. They got something pretty important for that.

That's for sure. That was pretty big leverage.