Iran: Russia delivers first part of S-300 missile system

Russia has sent the first part of its S-300 air defense missile system to Iran, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency on Monday.

A video labeled as “not confirmed by Tehran” purports to depict footage of the first delivery of the S-300 missile system. In the video, trucks carrying large devices covered in tarp can be seen. There has been no confirmation that the devices seen in the video are in fact S-300 missile systems.

The S-300, first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979 during the Cold War, has the capability to track and intercept multiple aircraft and ballistic missiles simultaneously at ranges of hundreds of kilometers. It is one of the most potent air defense weapons in the world.

Russia says it canceled a contract to deliver S-300s to Iran in 2010 under pressure from the West. But Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted that self-imposed ban in April 2015, following the interim nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. The first part was reportedly delivered to Iran through the Caspian Sea,

Israel strongly opposes the supply of the system to Iran, which it views as a direct threat.

The Iranian Mehr news agency reported Monday that Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jaberi Ansari announced the implementation of first phase of the S-300 missile contract between Iran and Russia.

According to the report, Ansari also confirmed an upcoming visit by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who was scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Saturday as part of a delegation of seven high-ranking EU officials.

Remarking on the S-300 shipment, Ansari was quoted as saying: “We had already announced that despite several times of change in time of delivery, the deal is on its path of implementation and today I should announce that the first phase of the agreement is implemented and the process will continue.”