USA: Delivery of S-300 Could Lead to New Sanctions Against Iran

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that the delivery of S-300 anti-aircraft systems to Iran could result in new sanctions against Tehran. On Monday, April 30, during his weekly briefing with reporters, Kirby mentioned that the U.S. would 'closely' monitor the delivery of these missiles to Iran. According to the U.S. State Department's website, the spokesperson noted that under U.S. law, the delivery of S-300 systems to Iran could be subject to new sanctions against Tehran, but he clarified that he is not in a position to comment on the certainty of such an issue. The Islamic Republic displayed equipment on April 29 during its annual Army Day ceremony, claiming it to be part of the S-300 anti-aircraft system. The S-300 systems are manufactured in Russia and are designed to counter aircraft and missiles. Russia is also set to train '80 Iranian military specialists' to operate the S-300 system. Tehran and Moscow signed a contract for the export of several of these systems in 2008, but Russia had refrained from delivering them to the Islamic Republic until the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. The delivery of this system to Iran has always faced opposition from the U.S. and Israel. The S-300 anti-aircraft missile can target aircraft at an altitude of 30 kilometers and at a distance of 150 kilometers, with the capability to track 100 targets simultaneously. Iran's acquisition of this system could alter calculations regarding any potential airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities. In addition to U.S. laws, UN Security Council Resolution 2231 also conditions the sale of weapons and heavy military equipment to Iran on the council's approval. In this context, Iran implicitly rejected receiving the S-300 system equipment. Netanyahu is traveling to Moscow for discussions about Iran and Syria, while Rouhani stated that Iran would respond positively to requests for defense of Islamic capitals.