Ivanov defends Russian arms sales to Iran

MOSCOW, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Russia has defended its sale of anti aircraft defenses to Iran and protested the imposition of U.S. sanctions on companies doing so.

Igor Ivanov, secretary of Russia's Security Council, Tuesday denied claims by the U.S. government "that Russian arms exporters are in breach of international regulations."

Ivanov was speaking at a RIA Novosti news conference.

The U.S. govenrment in January angered the Kremlin by approving economic sanctions on the Russian government's official arms dealer, Rosoboronexport, and on two other Russian companies for selling Tehran Russia's state-of-the-art TOR-M1 anti-aircraft system. "Rosoboronexport had faced sanctions for arms sales to Iran and Syria twice during 2006," RIA Novosti said.

"We point out to our American partners at consultations that measures of this kind are unlawful, as our companies are not in violation of any international obligations," Ivanov said according to the RIA Novosti report.

"In our bilateral and multilateral relations, we are governed by international law and by relevant international treaties and agreements," Ivanov said. "This decision contradicts the spirit of cooperation between our countries, and is against the norms of international law.

"Armaments we export are intended exclusively for defense," Ivanov said. "This applies to Iran. These are not offensive weapons, and they neither pose any threat to neighbors nor can they destabilize the situation in the region."

RIA Novosti said "Rosoboronexport confirmed (on Jan. 23) that it had completed the delivery of Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran under a $700 million contract signed at the end of 2005."

RIA Novosti described the Tor-M1, which is made by Almaz-Antei, as "a high-precision missile system designed to destroy aircraft, manned or unmanned, and cruise missiles flying at an altitude of up to 10 kilometers (six miles)."