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Russia slams Merkel criticism of S-300 delivery to Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, April 16, IRNA -- An official with Russian Foreign Ministry has lashed out at German Chancellor Angela Merkel's critical statements about revoking bans on sales of S-300 missile system to Iran.

Speaking to Itar-Tass on the condition of anonymity, he underlined Russia's commitment regarding coordination with other countries in the international scene.

The official also criticized the US and Western states' measures to impose unilateral sanctions against countries.

He further noted that Russia has always urged collective and coordinative measures regarding sanction policies of the United Nations stressing the need to respect special right of the United Nations Security Council.

Merkel had earlier criticized Vladimir Putin's decision on lifting the ban on selling the S-3000 missile systems to Iran. She called for a united global stance for removing sanctions against the country.

The Russian diplomat also said when the US and EU countries including Germany were placing unilateral and illegal sanctions on Iran, why German chancellor and any other leader of the EU states did not call for collective moves.

The Russian official also accused Germany of imitating the US in using unilateral sanctions as an instrument for advancing it foreign policy.

Putin revoked the ban on delivery of S-300 missiles to Iran through a decree on Monday.

Despite payment for the deal by Iran, former president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev had blocked delivery of the systems to Iran, in view of restrictions imposed by the UN Resolution 1929.

However, The Kremlin Palace on Monday announced that President Vladimir Putin in a decree has cancelled prohibition of delivering S-300 anti-air missile system to Iran.

The decision to lift the ban comes after Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany - reached a mutual understanding on Tehran's nuclear program in the Swiss city of Lausanne on April 2.

Under a contract signed in 2007, Russia had to provide Iran with at least five S-300 defense systems.

However, Moscow refused to deliver the surface-to-air missiles to Tehran in 2010 under the pretext that it is covered by the fourth round of the United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, which bars hi-tech weapons sales to Tehran.

Following Moscow's refusal to deliver the system, Iran filed a USD four-billion suit against the Russian arms firm, Rosoboronexport, with the International Court of Arbitration in Geneva.

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