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.
"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."