Netanyahu to Putin: Lifting missile ban will boost Iran's aggressiveness

Russia has decided to lift a ban on supplying Iran with sophisticated S-300 air defence missile systems

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed Israel's "grave concerns" today over Moscow's decision to lift a ban on supplying Iran with sophisticated S-300 air defence missile systems.

In a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he warned that such a step "would only increase Iran's aggressiveness in the region and would undermine the security of the Middle East," his office said.

The Kremlin said that, during the call, initiated by Netanyahu, "Putin explained in detail the logic of actions of the Russian leadership."

An ensuing statement from the Israeli premier called the "sale of advanced weaponry to Iran" a "direct result of the dangerous deal on the table between Iran and the P5+1," a reference to major world powers.

"Can anyone still seriously claim that the deal with Iran will enhance security in the Middle East," Netanyahu asked.

Tehran had said Moscow's move, announced yesterday, would be a step towards "lasting security" in the region.

The United States too objected to Russia lifting the ban.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said: "given Iran's destabilising actions in the region, in places like Yemen or Syria or Lebanon, that this isn't the time to be selling these kinds of system to them."

The S-300's capabilities are not fully known, but would be a major upgrade of the country's defences.

While the updated V-series would allow Iran to intercept missiles fired by regional foes such as Saudi Arabia, experts say they would not be a match for the latest US war planes.

Neither the United States nor Israel have ruled out military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as a means of preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Russian decision followed the April 2 framework deal between Iran and six world powers aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear programme, ahead of talks on a definitive agreement.

Russia had agreed to sell the missiles to Iran in 2007, but called off the deal two years later to show its dedication to the nuclear talks, in which it is working alongside fellow permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France and the United States, plus Germany.

In remarks in Madrid, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said today the talks would resume next week, ahead of a June 30 deadline for a final deal.