Russia: Iran weapons buys 'defensive'

MOSCOW, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Russia's arms sales to Iran are only of a defensive nature and comply with international non-proliferation rules, a Russian company said Monday.

An assertion by a senior member of Iran's parliament Sunday that Russia had begun shipping components for an advanced S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Tehran brought a statement Monday from Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned arms exporting company, stressing none of its sales to Iran are for offensive weapons, RIA Novosti reported.

"Only defensive systems are being supplied to Iran, including surface-to-air systems. Previously, Tor-M1 air-defense systems were supplied to Iran," Rosoboronexport said.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, meanwhile, contradicted the Iranian assertion that the S-300 deliveries had begun, telling RIA Novosti Israel had received assurances from Russia the S-300 deliveries had not yet commenced.