Israel Matzav

Report: Russia to offer Iran S-300, second nuke plant in Bushehr

The Russian daily Kommersant is reporting that Russia has renewed its offer to sell the S-300 anti-missile system to Iran, three years after canceling the sale due to United Nations sanctions. Russia is also offering to build a second nuclear plant in Bushehr for the Ayatollahs.

According to a source within the Kremlin, Putin decided to grant an Iranian request to supply the Islamic Republic with the high-end S-300 air defense system with a deal estimated at $800 million which will also include coordinating the construction of an additional nuclear reactor in Bushehr.

According to the report, Putin has instructed his staff to prepare the agreements so as to discuss them with Iranian President Hassan Rohani during the two leaders' scheduled meeting on Friday. The source believes that Teheran will accept the renewed Russian proposal.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, hinted that the two agreements were not yet finalized and additional negotiations could be expected.  

This is very curious, because when I heard this story on Israel Radio, they specifically said that Russia offered Iran a less advanced model than what was offered previously.  That's what JPost is reporting as well.

Kommersant reported on Wednesday that the Russians intend on supplying Iran with a less advanced version of the S-300 than originally thought.

And this is not just an issue that relates to a potential Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Israeli official believe that the missiles, which have a 200-kilometer range, would have the capacity to hit planes in northern Israel. It would create a no-fly zone that would make it impossible for the Israeli air force to operate along the Syrian and Lebanese border.

Hmmm.

Labels: Iran, Iranian nuclear threat, Israeli attack on Iran, Russia, S-300 missile defense system, Syria no-fly zone

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:59 PM