Russia lifts ban on sending S-300 missile systems to Iran

MOSCOW, April 13 (UPI) -- Russia is following through on a $800 million contract it signed in 2007 to deliver S-300 missile equipment to Iran after it was initially put on hold due to U.N.-imposed sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.

The Russian defense ministry said it is now ready to ship the missile system after Iran agreed to curtail its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the ban was in place "entirely voluntarily" until a deal could be hammered out between Iran and world powers.

Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan told semi-official Fars News Agency the missiles are necessary for the country's defenses, including against Takfiri terrorists.

"Expansion of mutual cooperation with the neighboring countries in various fields can play an effective role in the establishment of durable security and stability in the region," he said.

But Israel, which condemned the Iranian nuclear agreement, is also not a fan of the missile delivery.

"This is a direct result of the legitimacy that Iran obtained from the emerging nuclear deal,'' Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Secretary of State John Kerry also had some concerns about the delivery.

S-300 surface-to-air missiles can be used against multiple targets, including jets or other missiles. A delivery date for the system has not been scheduled.