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Russia stalling on Iranian arms deal?

TEHRAN, March 18 (UPI) -- The negotiated sale of the S-300 missile system from Russia to Iran has been met with skepticism by some officials in Moscow, Iranian media reports say.

The Iranian Press TV cites a host of news agencies reporting Russian officials had put off the delivery of the S-300 based on diplomatic uncertainty.

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"The question must be decided at a political level, especially as the contract was worked out on a purely commercial basis," a Russian military source told the Interfax news agency.

A report by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, an American think tank, says if Russia moves on its sale of the air defense system, it would render Iranian airspace a "virtual no-fly zone."

The report warns if diplomacy fails to persuade Iran to change course on its nuclear program, forward deployment of the F-22 Raptor to the region will counter any possible threat in the region.

Press TV cites Persian-language media quoting Russian reports that the provisions under the sales contract "will be implemented gradually."

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