Israel Protests Russia's Signing of S-300 Contract with Iran

On Tuesday, November 10, Israel protested Russia's decision to sign a contract for the sale of the S-300 missile defense system to Iran. Russia announced on Monday that it had signed a contract for the delivery of advanced S-300 air defense systems to Iran. Yuval Steinitz, Israel's Energy Minister and the cabinet member responsible for 'Iran affairs,' criticized Russia's decision, claiming that Iran remains a serious threat to Israel. According to the German news agency DPA, Steinitz described the S-300 system as 'one of the best of its kind' and considered Iran's acquisition of the system a threat to Israel. Military experts have consistently stated that the delivery of S-300 defense systems to Iran would significantly impair Israel's ability to carry out potential airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. Israel has always maintained that a 'military option' is on the table to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions. Tel Aviv has opposed the Iran-Russia deal regarding these systems since its inception. A few years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a secret visit to Moscow, urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to refrain from this deal with Iran. However, after much back-and-forth and four months after the final nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, Russia finally announced this week that it had signed the final contract for the delivery of these systems to Iran. The decision to deliver air defense systems, which Iran intends to deploy around its nuclear facilities, was announced on the same day that U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed increasing U.S. military aid to Israel for another decade at the White House. Israel has requested another squadron of American F-35 fighter jets, vertical takeoff aircraft, heavier bombs, and a series of advanced equipment that has so far only been available to the U.S. military. A joint delegation from Israel and the U.S. is expected to work in the coming weeks on finalizing the memorandum of understanding for increasing U.S. military assistance to the Israeli military. Israel justifies the need for increased military aid by citing the heightened risks posed by Iran following the strengthening of Iran's economy and financial foundations. In his press conference on Tuesday, Steinitz stated that Israel's opposition to the Iran nuclear deal was 'not a secret,' but from now on, all efforts should focus on compelling Iran to fulfill its commitments under this agreement. 'Israel will not allow Iran to open a new front from Syria,' the Israeli Energy Minister said, adding that Iran seeks to create another war front against Israel through the Golan Heights. He stated, 'Iran's exploitation of the tragic situation in Syria to strengthen its foothold in the region is extremely troubling.' This Israeli minister added that 'his country is surrounded by a region undergoing severe turmoil, with wars and crises affecting many parts of the Middle East, thus increasing risks for Israel.' Steinitz claimed that Iran's increasing influence in the region 'is also a threat to NATO and Europe.' The Israeli Prime Minister also stated in a speech in the U.S. on the same day that Israel would not allow Syrian territory to become a new arena, including from Iran, for attacks against Israel. This comes as Iran insists that it is providing 'advisory' assistance to Syria in the 'fight against terrorism,' although recently the number of Iranian Revolutionary Guard casualties in Syria has increased.