Israel warns Russia against missile sale

MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Israeli defense official Amos Gilad, on a visit to Moscow, warned Russia Friday against selling arms to Iran.

Gilad, head of the Diplomatic Security Bureau in the Israeli Defense Ministry, responded to a question about a proposed Russian sale of S-300 air defense missiles, Interfax reported.

"The deliveries of dangerous armaments to our enemies won't serve the interests of peace and, for instance, can help Iran wipe Israel off the face of earth," Gilad said. "So we expect Russia to demonstrate responsibility on the issue."

Gilad denied any secret pact that would bar Israel from arms sales to Georgia and Russia from sales to Iran.

The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported the proposed S-300 missile sale earlier this week. Novosti cited sources and also quoted a Russian official who said that the sale would make the region more stable.

The S-300, an anti-aircraft missile, would give Iran more ability to withstand an Israeli air strike on its nuclear facilities, the Jerusalem Post said.