Russia: S-300 contract with Iran being implemented

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=122744§ionid=351020104


As the delivery of an advanced air defense system to Iran has long been overdue by Russia, a senior Russian defense official says talks are being held for the eventual transfer of the S-300 surface-to-air missile to Iran.

"Contracts have been signed, and they are being implemented - they have not been torn up," head of the Federal Agency for Military Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriyev said Wednesday.

He, however, said that Russia has not yet decided on the date for the delivery of the systems.

Russia signed a contract with Iran on the supply of at least five S-300 air defense systems to Tehran in December 2005. However, Moscow has not so far honored the contract possibly under pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv, RIA Novosti reported.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday voiced Tehran's disappointment over repeated delays in the delivery of the Russian missile system to Iran.

"We expect Russian officials not to be swayed by political pressure from other countries," Ramin Mehmanparast said.

The S-300 surface-to-air missile system, which can track targets and fire at aircraft within a range of over 150 km (100 miles), features high jamming immunity and is able to simultaneously engage up to 100 targets in airstrikes.

The system, according to Western experts, would rule out the possibility of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites.

Putin clarifies Iran nuclear plant launch date

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=121137§ionid=351020104


Russia has announced that it plans to start up Iran's long-delayed 1,000 megawatt Bushehr nuclear plant “this summer.”

"The start-up of the first reactor of the Bushehr atomic power station is planned for this summer," Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

The construction of the Bushehr plant started in 1975 when Germany signed a contract to build a nuclear plant in Bushehr. Berlin, however, pulled out of the project following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran then reached an agreement with Russia in 1995. Under the deal, the plant was originally scheduled to be completed in 1999 but completion of the $1 billion project has been frequently delayed.

Putin's remarks come two days after Russian Energy Minster Sergei Shmatko said "technical reasons" are the only obstacles in the way of the long awaited launch of the Bushehr power plant.

Putin noted that Moscow will “continue work on developing atomic energy capacity both at home and abroad.”

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran also announced earlier in March that the Bushehr nuclear plant will come on stream by June this year.