New York Times: A Russian government agency disputed reports that it had signed a contract to sell a sophisticated air-defense system to Iran, saying it had no such plans. The New York Times
By C. J. CHIVERS
Published: December 29, 2007
A Russian government agency disputed reports that it had signed a contract to sell a sophisticated air-defense system to Iran, saying it had no such plans. This week, the Iranian defense minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najar, said that a contact had been signed and that Russia would equip Iran with S-300 missiles, which are used to shoot down planes and missiles. In a statement posted on its Web site, the Russian agency, the Federal Military and Technical Cooperation Service, flatly denied the Iranian claim. The issue of supplying Iran with S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, raised by mass media, is not on the agenda, is not being considered and is not being discussed with the Iranian side at the moment, the statement said.
