Israel Matzav

Ahmadinejad slams Russia over S-300 cancellation

For the first time since Russia canceled the sale of its S-300 anti-missile system to Iran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has lashed out at Russia over the cancellation.

"Some people who are under the influence of [the United States] thought that if they unilaterally and illegally cancel some defense agreements that they have with us, it will hurt the Iranian nation," Ahmadinejad said in reference to the missile deal between Moscow and Tehran.

"They went and sold us out to our enemies by unilaterally canceling the agreement for which they have been paid," he said at a public rally in the northeastern city of Bojnourd broadcast live on state television.

"I want to tell them on your behalf that we consider the deal to still be valid. They should execute it. If they don't, the Iranian people will seek its rights, the losses and the fines on it," he told a cheering crowd.

The remarks were Ahmadinejad's first direct reaction to Moscow's decision to cancel the delivery of the S-300 missiles.

I'm sure Putin and Medvedev are quaking in their boots.

The problem is that if at some point in the future, Russia decides it's in their best interests to sell the S-300 to Iran (or to Venezuela and let Venezuela transfer it to Iran), Russia will go ahead and do it. Obama won't stop them either.

Labels: Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Russia, S-300 missile defense system

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:21 PM