Iran warns Russia over failure to deliver S-300 missile systems

Russia will be responsible for the consequences caused by its failure to deliver S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran, the Islamic Republic's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Tuesday.
In an interview with Fars News Agency he said the delivery of the air-defense systems would not violate Russian or international laws.
Moscow said last week it would freeze the delivery of S-300 systems following a new round of UN sanctions imposed on Tehran June 9.
"Russia has a duty to fulfill its obligations... Implementing the S-300 deal is not against Russian laws or international regulations," Vahidi said. "It is obvious that [Russia] is responsible for the damages caused by its failure to implement the deal."

Vahidi also said that Russia would soon announce its official stance on the issue and that Iran would make no further comments until then.
Vahidi said in late April Iran would produce its own missile defense systems similar to Russia's S-300 system.
A Kremlin source said on June 11 the sale of S-300 air defense systems fall under the new UN Security Council's sanctions against Tehran, but the Russian foreign minister said it was up to the president to make the final decision.
UN Security Council Resolution 1929 imposes a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over itsnuclear program, and includes tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo.
Russia initially said the delivery of S-300 systems to Iran would not be affected by the new UN sanctions since they are not included in the UN Register of Conventional Arms.
However, experts from the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation suggested that the S-300 system did come under the new set of sanctions.
Moscow signed a contract on supplying Iran with at least five S-300 systems in December 2005, but delivery has so far been delayed.
The United States and Israel have urged Russia not to deliver the missiles to Tehran.
The S-300 contract is worth some $800 million, while Russian experts estimate the penalty for breach of contract at $400 million.
The advanced version of the S-300 missile system, called S-300PMU1, has a range of over 150 kilometers (over 100 miles) and can intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft at low and high altitudes, making it effective in warding off air strikes.

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Iran test fires surface-to-surface missile

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Iran unveils nation's first unmanned bomber

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday inaugurated the country's first domestically built unmanned bomber aircraft, calling it an “ambassador of death” to Iran's enemies. The 4-meter-long drone aircraft can carry up to four cruise missiles and will have a range of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), according to a state TV report -- not far enough to reach archenemy Israel.
``The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship,'' said Ahmadinejad at the inauguration ceremony, which fell on the country's national day for its defense industries.

The goal of the aircraft, named Karrar or striker, is to “keep the enemy paralyzed in its bases,” he said, adding that the aircraft is for deterrence and defensive purposes.

The president championed the country's military self-sufficiency program, and said it will continue ``until the enemies of humanity lose hope of ever attacking the Iranian nation.''

Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo and now produces its own tanks, armored personnel carries, missiles and even a fighter plane.

Iran frequently makes announcements about new advances in military technology that cannot be independently verified.

State TV later showed video footage of the plane taking off from a launching pad and reported that the craft traveled at speeds of 560 miles per hour (900 kilometers) and could alternatively be armed with two 250-pound bombs or a 450-pound guided bomb.

Iran has been producing its own light, unmanned surveillance aircraft since the late 1980s.

The ceremony came a day after Iran began to fuel its first nuclear power reactor, with the help of Russia, amid international concerns over the possibility of a military dimension to its nuclear program.

Iran insists it is only interested in generating electricity. Referring to Israel's occasional threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, Ahmadinejad called any attack unlikely, but he said if Israel did, the reaction would be overwhelming.

“The scope of Iran's reaction will include the entire the earth,'' said Ahmadinejad. “We also tell you -- the West -- that all options are on the table.”

Ahmadinejad appeared to be consciously echoing the terminology used by the US and Israel in their statements not ruling out a military option against Iran's nuclear facilities.

On Friday, Iran also test-fired a new liquid fuel surface-to-surface missile, the Qiam-1, with advanced guidance systems.

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Iran deploys new naval missile systems

TEHRAN (BNS): The Iranian Navy has received new naval cruise missile systems from its Defence Ministry on Monday.

“The systems are capable of spotting and destroying different targets at sea,” state-run Press TV quoted Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as saying.

"The systems are capable of spotting and destroying different targets at sea," said Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi at the delivery ceremony of the missile system on Monday



Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi


General Vahidi pointed out that the systems include launch pads as well as spotting and missile guiding systems.

All the systems have been fully designed and produced by local experts, the defense chief further explained.



According to General Vahidi, the deployment of the missile systems along the country's coastline will not only boost national defense capability, but play a key role in maintaining regional security and stability as well.

Iran has achieved numerous breakthroughs in the defense sector and reached self-sufficiency in producing various types of military equipment and systems.

Iranian Navy Commander


Iran announced recently that it is mass producing, and ready to export air defense systems.

"We can meet all our needs in the air defense sector by relying on domestic resources," said a top Iranian commander.

"When we [design and] develop weapons, they will be mass produced, and we can export the surplus to other countries if deemed appropriate," the commander added. 


In the meantime, Iran has announced time and again that its military might poses no threat, whatsoever, to other countries as Tehran's defense doctrine is based on deterrence only.














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