Yahoo – AFP,
13 April 2015
Russia
cancelled a contract to deliver advanced S-300 ground to air missiles, citing
UN sanctions imposed over Tehran's nuclear programme (AFP Photo/Viktor Drachev)
|
Jerusalem
(AFP) - Israel on Monday denounced Russia's decision to lift a ban on supplying
Iran with sophisticated S-300 air defence missile systems as proof of Tehran's
newfound "legitimacy" following nuclear talks.
"This
is a direct result of the legitimacy that Iran is receiving from the nuclear
deal that is being prepared, and proof that the Iranian economic growth which
follows the lifting of sanctions will be exploited for arming itself and not
for the welfare of the Iranian people," Israeli Intelligence Minister
Yuval Steinitz said in a statement.
Moscow's
decision to lift the ban comes after a major breakthrough in talks between
world powers and Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, which saw the
parties agreeing on a framework deal on April 2.
The
emerging deal, which is to be finalised by June 30, would see Iran would
curtail its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from punishing economic
sanctions, sparking a welter of harsh criticism from Israel.
"As
Iran disavows clause after clause of the framework agreement... the
international community has already begun implementing easing measures,"
he railed.
"Instead
of demanding that Iran stop its terrorist activity in the Middle East and the
world, it is being allowed to arm itself with advanced weaponry that will only
increase its aggression."
Russia is a
key supplier of arms to the Arab world, including governments which do not
recognise the Jewish state, and its weapons exports have long been of concern
to Israeli leaders who have sought to persuade Moscow to scale down its
cooperation Iran and Syria.
The S-300
batteries are advanced ground-to-air weapons that can take out aircraft or
guided missiles.
The decree,
signed by President Vladimir Putin on Monday, ends a ban on the deliveries of
S-300 missiles to Iran which was put in place in 2010 after the United Nations
slapped sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme, including
barring the sale of hi-tech weaponry.
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