Iran Officially Unveils Bavar-373 Missile Defense System

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, visited the Bavar-373 air defense system at an exhibition organized by the Ministry of Defense, which, according to Iranian news agencies, was "officially unveiled" on Sunday. According to domestic news agencies, Mr. Rouhani visited this missile system and what has been described as the "capabilities" of this ministry in the "aerospace" sector on the morning of 31 Ordibehesht in the Aerospace Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense in Tehran. Iranian news agencies reported that sections of fighter and transport aircraft, helicopters, drones, and modern technologies were displayed at this center. The Tasnim news agency stated that during this visit, the Bavar-373 missile system was "officially unveiled." However, the launchers and one missile of this system had also been displayed during the "Army Day" in Farvardin of last year. According to Iranian media, this air defense system was developed by the Aerospace Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense, the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, and domestic scientific and research centers. The Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base is one of the four forces of the Iranian army and encompasses all air defense systems from radars to artillery and intelligence gathering devices. The command of this base stated in Shahrivar 1393 that the first missile launch by the "Bavar-373" system was successfully conducted. According to this base, this system is intended to "replace" the S-300 system. The S-300 air defense system is manufactured by Russia, and the unveiling of the "Bavar-373" comes as a Russian official recently stated that the complete delivery of the S-300 will be completed next year. Tehran and Moscow signed a contract for the purchase of the S-300 in 2007, which was halted due to international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program. Last year, following the nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, authorized the delivery of this system to Iran. Iran remains under other Western sanctions due to the "development of ballistic missile programs" and human rights issues or accusations of "state-sponsored terrorism," sanctions that have overshadowed financial relations between Iran and other countries and economic institutions. The United States has also expressed its opposition to the delivery of the S-300 system by Russia to Iran, although Washington states that this action does not violate the JCPOA. In this context, Trudeau: We oppose the transfer of S-300 to Iran but it is not against the JCPOA. Russia: We have no plans to sell fighters and tanks to Iran. "Official start" of the process to stop Iran's complaint against Russia over the S-300. Russia: Ready to send the second part of the S-300 system to Iran.