S-300 Reduces Military Pressure on Iran

On Sunday evening, Iranian television broadcast images purportedly showing the Fordow nuclear facility in Iran, but the focus of the report was on military equipment displayed near these facilities. This equipment consisted of various components of the S-300 system, which Iran purchased from Russia in 2007 (about 9 years ago), but due to the expansion of international sanctions against Tehran, Moscow decided to halt the contract. After endless struggles, Iran announced on Sunday the complete transfer of this system. Regarding this matter, Radio Farda spoke with Peter Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). What is your assessment of the images broadcast of the S-300 system from Iranian television? Can it be said that Iran has finally received this system from Russia after several years? The images broadcast clearly show that this is the S-300 system. While in the past, Iran had shown images claiming to be parts of this system that were clearly not real, I believe this report is correct this time because the Russians have repeatedly stated that this system would be transferred to Iran this year. Therefore, I have no doubt that the images shown are real. This system has been transferred to Iran after about 6 years. In the last couple of years, we have heard news about more advanced models of this system. Is Iran losing something by having a system that is now a few years old? The model that Iran is currently receiving is not the latest type of equipment that Russia produces but is one that Russia is interested in selling to other countries. Iran could acquire more advanced technologies from Russia, which would be better, but it should also be noted that although this system was purchased about 9 years ago, military equipment does not develop quickly enough for six years to be impactful. This system is capable enough to create military concerns among Iran's neighbors. You mentioned the capabilities of this system. Iran emphasizes that this system is defensive and has no offensive aspect. The question is, why could this system be a concern for Iran's neighbors? This system is certainly defensive. It helps Iran protect its territory, especially against the fighter jets of other countries and to some extent their missiles. This country still has a significant technological gap in military technology compared to countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, as well as the military presence of the United States in the Persian Gulf. If we talk about non-nuclear military capability in the region, Iran is significantly weaker. Peter Wezeman from the Stockholm Institute of Peace. However, regarding why it becomes a concern, it should be said that this system does not help Iran's offensive capabilities, but with this system, they can exert less military pressure on Iran. They have less opportunity to use their advanced military equipment that could potentially reach targets inside Iranian territory. Nevertheless, I must emphasize that even if Iran acquires such a system today, this country still has a significant technological gap in military technology compared to countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey, as well as the military presence of the United States in the Persian Gulf. If we talk about non-nuclear military capability in the region, Iran is significantly weaker. When discussing Iran's situation, we must also refer to the issue of the ban on conventional weapons purchases by Iran, which Resolution 2231 continues to impose, maintaining this ban for about five more years. Does this cooperation between Iran and Russia regarding the S-300 conflict with this resolution? The ban on arms sales imposed by the United Nations on Iran is a relative ban. This ban allows for some equipment, including surface-to-air missile systems like the S-300. Peter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm Institute of Peace. This ban, for example, does not allow Iran to purchase fighter jets, warships, or tanks. As a result, it is not a complete ban, and what Russia is doing is in line with the UN ban.