Iran Receives First Missile Defense System From Russia In Post-Sanctions Era

Russia has begun delivery of S-300 defense missile systems to Iran, says Vladimir Kozhin, the Russian presidential aide for military-technical cooperation.

TASS reports Kozhin confirmed that “The contract is in action” and that the delivery has begun. Meanwhile, Iranian ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanai confirmed in late November that Iran has received the first S-300 system.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier lifted the ban on the sale of the defense system to Iran.

Although the agreement to purchase the defense system was signed back in 2007, in 2010 then-Russian president Dmitri Medvedev put a ban on such sales in accordance with international sanctions against Iran.

Following the finalization of nuclear agreement between Iran and the 5+1, Russia announced that it will now go through with the agreement and deliver the defense systems to Iran.