WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- Iran is able to shoot down possible U.S. air strikes with Russian-supplied missile systems, a top Russian general said Thursday.
"In line with my assessment, Iran's air defense system is strong enough," three-star Col. Gen. Yury Solovyov, commander of the Air Defense Forces Special Command (former Moscow Military District Air Defense Command), said according to a report from the RIA Novosti news agency. "Currently Iran has our (Russian) air defense missile systems, which are capable of tackling U.S. combat aircraft. Iran also has French and other countries' (defense) systems."
Earlier this year, Russia completed delivery of its TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile system to Iran. Until the S-400 Triumf missile system comes on line to defend Moscow in August, the TOR-M1 is regarded as the most advanced Russian air defense system currently operational. Unless neutralized by counter-measures, it is claimed to be highly effective up 30,000 feet.
Solovyov said the Kremlin was getting reliable detailed intelligence on developments in the U.S.-Iran crisis, the RIA Novosti report said.
"Last week, a Russian security official said that Russian intelligence had information that U.S. Armed Forces had nearly completed preparations for a possible military operation against Iran and would be ready to strike in early April," RIA Novosti said.
The Russian news agency noted that the Kuwaiti newspaper as-Siyasa claimed Wednesday that U.S. forces were going to make a missile attack on Iran later this month. In an editorial that quoted anonymous Washington sources, As-Siyasa claimed the attack could be carried out by U.S. air-to-surface missiles but that no ground forces were intended to be involved.
