Russia's state arms export agency said Monday it is supplying Iran with defensive weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, but did not say whether they include sophisticated long-range S-300 missiles. Iranian media reported Sunday that Russia had begun supplying the S-300s _ a course of action Israel and the United States have aggressively opposed.
Supplying the advanced missile systems to Iran would markedly change the military balance in the Middle East and the issue has been the subject of intense speculation and diplomatic wrangling for months. Rosoboronexport said in a statement that ``only weapons of a defensive nature are being supplied to Iran, including anti-aircraft weaponry.' It added that, previously, Tor-M1 air-defence systems were supplied to Iran.
"Russia is developing military-technical co-operation with Iran in strict compliance with its international commitments stemming from non-proliferation agreements. This co-operation cannot be a source of concern for third countries,' the statement said. Rosoboronexport spokesman Vyacheslav Davydenko confirmed that S-300 missiles were considered defensive weapons, but refused to say whether they were being supplied to Tehran.
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