[Dr. Aaron Lerner- IMRA: Take note of the narrative of this Iranian news
agency report: On the one hand the Iranian defense ministry reports "
delivery process is underway" but then the news agency notes that "in
September, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the
contract between Moscow and Tehran on the delivery of Russian S-300 missile
defense systems to Iran would be signed in the near future" without then
reporting that the contract has in fact been signed since Ryabkov's remark.]

Iranian Defense Ministry: Delivery Process of Russian S-300 Underway
Mon Oct 05, 2015 5:17
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940713001288

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian defense ministry in a statement on Monday
dismissed media reports claiming problems and impediments to the delivery of
the Russian S-300 missile defense system to Iran, stressing that the
delivery process is underway.

"The recent remarks on the S-300 missile defense system delivery lack
correctness and credibility and the executive stages for the delivery of the
system are now being taken based on the previously-signed contract," the
statement underlined on Monday.

In relevant remarks in September, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei
Ryabkov said that the contract between Moscow and Tehran on the delivery of
Russian S-300 missile defense systems to Iran would be signed in the near
future.

"The negotiations are continuing, the contract will be signed in the near
future. All political decisions have been made, there are no obstacles
there," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Sputnik news website.

In 2007, Iran signed a contract worth $800mln to buy five Russian S300
missile defense systems.

But the deal was scrapped in 2010 by the then-Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev under the pretext of the UN Security Council sanctions, although
the UN embargoes did not include defensive military systems.

Iran filed a $4bln lawsuit against Russia in the international arbitration
court in Geneva.

Moscow then struggled to have the lawsuit dropped, including by offering the
Tor anti-aircraft systems as replacement, media reported in August, adding
that the offer was rejected by Tehran.

Yet, some reports said the Antei-2500 could be a better solution. The system
does not formally fall under the existing sanctions against Iran while still
being useful for the Middle-Eastern country.

While the S-300 was developed for the use by missile defense forces, the
Antei-2500 was specifically tailored for the needs of ground forces, which
could also be an advantage for Iran, known for its large land force.

Later, Iran rejected the offer, stressing that it would not change its
order.

The S-300 is a series of Russian long range surface-to-air missile systems
produced by NPO Almaz, all based on the initial S-300P version. The S-300
system was developed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles for the
Soviet Air Defense Forces. Subsequent variations were developed to intercept
ballistic missiles.

The S-300 system was first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979, designed
for the air defense of large industrial and administrative facilities,
military bases, and control of airspace against enemy strike aircraft.

In the meantime, Iran designed and developed its own version of the S-300
missile shield, known as Bavar (Belief) 373. The Iranian version has
superior features over the original Russian model as it enjoys increased
mobility and reduced launch-preparation time.

In April, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan
announced that Iran would receive the S-300 air defense systems from Russia
in 2015.

"We will sign the contract for the delivery of S-300 air defense systems
with the Russian side during an upcoming visit to Moscow in the current
year," Brigadier general Dehqan said prior to his departure to Moscow to
take part in 2015 International Moscow Security Conference.

He noted that the Iranian Defense Ministry had studied the details of the
S-300 contract and the air defense system would be delivered to Iran before
the end of 2015.

"What is important is that since the beginning of talks about this contract,
the Americans and the Zionist regime voiced their opposition to the sale of
S-300 systems and called for a halt to the implementation of the contract,"
Brigadier General Dehqan said.

In April, President Putin removed the ban on the delivery of the missile
shield to Iran.

Following the announcement, Brigadier General Dehqan said "the decree came
as an interpretation of the will of the two countries' political leaders to
develop and promote cooperation in all fields".

Putin's decision was announced hours after relevant reports said the Kremlin
also plans to supply China with the advanced S-400 air defense system.

Putin said during a meeting with Iran's Admiral Shamkhani that his decision
to deliver the sophisticated S-300 air defense missile systems to Tehran set
a role model at global class that every nation should remain loyal to its
undertakings.

"The decision which was taken today bears this clear message that all
countries are necessitated to remain committed to their undertakings," Putin
said at the meeting in Moscow.

In January, Tehran and Moscow signed an agreement to broaden their defensive
cooperation and also resolve the problem with the delivery of Russia's S300
missile defense systems to Iran.

The agreement was signed by General Dehqan and his visiting Russian
counterpart General Sergei Shoigu in a meeting in Tehran in January.

The Iranian and Russian defense ministers agreed to resolve the existing
problems which have prevented the delivery of Russia's advanced air defense
systems to Iran in recent years.

The two sides also agreed to broaden their defense cooperation and joint
campaign against terrorism and extremism.