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Russia Approves Dangerous Weapons Sale to Tehran

Russia will implement a contract to supply Tor-M1 air defense systems to Iran, Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Baluyevsky said on Wednesday. Mr. Baluyevsky made the statement after his talks with James Johns, Supreme Commander of the United States and NATO forces in Europe.

Roughly 30 Tor-M1 complexes are planned to be supplied to Tehran which will defend the key state and military facilities, foremost nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Bushehr, Tehran and in the east of the country. The contract, worth $1.4 billion USD, is the biggest arms deal Iran and Russia have ever concluded.

Tor-M1 is an all-weather air defense system intended which ensures effective protection from cruise missiles, guided bombs, warplanes, helicopters, and pilotless and remotely controlled attack aircraft. The sale comes as the West, Russia, and China take on Iran over its nuclear program and as the United States and Israel reportedly consider air strikes to prevent Tehran, a known state-sponsor of terrorism, getting its hands on nuclear power.