Israel warns Russia of defense system sale

JERUSALEM, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Israel warned Russia that an advanced S-300 air defense system it plans to sell to Venezuela may reach Iran, officials said Monday.

Israeli defense officials expressed concern over the close ties between Venezuela and Iran and the possibility the defense system could get into Iranian hands, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"This is a real possibility, considering the close ties between Venezuela and Iran," an Israeli official familiar with the deal told the newspaper.

In 2007, Russia signed a contract with Iran to sell the advanced air defense system, which is capable of tracking up to 100 targets simultaneously. But international pressure and a fourth round of United Nations sanctions against the Islamic Republic forced Russia to pull out of the planned sale.

Israeli defense officials said they could not rule out the possibility that the system will make its way to Iran, the newspaper said.