Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, stated that Iran deserved to receive the shipment after signing the deal and also had a pressing need for a modern air defence systems because of a tense situation in the region, particularly Yemen.
A sectarian war has erupted in that country with a coalition of Sunni regional states, led by Saudi Arabia, carrying out air strikes against Iranian-backed Shia Houthi rebels.
Vladimir Putin has signed a decree enabling the delivery of S-300s, which the Kremlin had originally agreed eight years ago but then suspended it after strong objections from Washington and Tel Aviv.
Russia is a member of the P5+1 group which negotiated the deal in Lausanne last month. It is still to be ratified after further talks in June. Western members of the group had announced that subsequent lifting of sanctions must be gradual, but Tehran insists the punitive measures must be removed immediately.
The Iranians had filed a lawsuit for $4bn against Russia when the deal was frozen, alleging breach of contract.
Deputy defence minister Reza Talainik said: “Russia has returned to the first step and is prepared to act upon its previous undertakings. These are good first steps”.
The White House warned that the Russian decision on the missile system could raise concern about the sanctions system, as could the goods-for-oil swaps.
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In Israel, intelligence minister Yuval Steinetz said his government deplored the move. “ This is a direct result of the legitimacy that Iran has obtained from the emerging nuclear deal”, he said. He claimed this was “proof” Tehran planned to use relief from sanctions for arms, rather than the welfare of the Iranian people.
Mr Lavrov said: “The S-300 is exclusively a defensive weapon, which can’t serve offensive purposes and will not jeopardise the security of any country, including, of course, Israel. It [the lifting of the ban] was done in the spirit of goodwill to encourage progress in talks. We are convinced at this stage there is no longer need for an embargo, specifically for a separate, voluntary Russian embargo.”
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