Iran seeks S-300 Russian air defense system via Belarus

LONDON — Russia plans to sell Iran the S-300 air and missile defense system through a third country.

Western intelligence sources said Moscow has agreed to an Iranian request for the S-300 in an attempt to improve protection of its air space.

The sources said Russia intends to sell Iran the system through a third country.

"Russia has been trying to sell the S-300 to Iran for at least five years," an intelligence source said. "At first, the Iranians weren't interested. Now, with the threat of a U.S. attack, Teheran is very interested in a strategic air defense system."

The London-based Jane's Intelligence Digest reported that Belarus has been recruited in the Russian effort to sell the S-300 to Iran. The magazine said Belarus has already purchased the latest version of the S-300, termed the SP.

In January 2006, Jane's reported, a high-level Iranian military delegation visited Belarus. Jane's said the delegation also included Belarus government officials.

"Since early 2005, Minsk has been negotiating with Moscow for the purchase of the latest and most advanced version of the S-300SP surface-to-air missile system," Jane's said. "According to well-informed sources, a contract for an unspecified number of S-300SP missiles was signed between Minsk and the Kremlin during the summer of 2005, with delivery scheduled to take place either later that year or else in early 2006."

Western intelligence sources said Russia has sold missile and other advanced technology to Iran through Belarus and Ukraine. The sources said Russia has been under Western pressure to end the transfer of major military systems to Teheran amid its nuclear program.

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