Russia announces a halt of all weapon sales to Iran

In a recent press release from Russia, officials from the nation’s foreign ministry have said they will halt all weapon sales to Iran.

In the press release Russia said, “Russia has sold Iran hundreds of major weapons systems.” However, since a ceasefire between the nations of Iran and Israel could not be reached, nor the release of an Israeli fighter pilot by Iran, Russia has declared the halt of weapon sales.

Russian President Dmitriy Anatolyevich Medvedev said, “This step is regrettable, however, we must show Iran that we have a serious interest in countries engaging the world; no purpose is served by isolation.”

Since 1992, Russia has sold Iran hundreds of major weapons systems, including twenty T-72 tanks, ninety-four air-to-air missiles, and a handful of combat aircraft like the MiG-29. Late last year, Russia agreed to sell Iran a $700 million surface-to-air missile defense system (SA-15 Gauntlet) along with thirty TOR M-1 air-defense missile
systems, ostensibly to defend its soon-to-be-complete, Russian-built nuclear reactor at Bushehr. Moscow also plans to upgrade Tehran’s Su-24, MiG-29 aircraft, and T-72 battle tanks. Iran has shown interest in S-300 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia and Belarus, which can intercept enemy aircraft ninety to 180 miles away. Michael Eisenstadt,
director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Military and Security Studies Program, says Iran is building up its naval presence. In April 2006, the Iranians claimed to have tested a high-speed torpedo—similar to the Russian-made VA-111 Shkval—capable of destroying large warships or submarines. Iran already fields China’s Silkworm anti-shipping missile and an array of mine
technologies.

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