Russian Official: No Limits On Selling Moscow's Defensive Weapons To Tehran

Moscow, Oct 20, IRNA – Chairman of the Social Council at the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Korotchenko said Saturday that based on international regulations Iran had no limits to purchase defensive weapons from Russia. Speaking to reporters, the official referred to Iran as a good market for Russian arms. He added that Tehran could potentially buy some $11-13 billions of Russian weapons and military equipments in near future. In addition to the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Vietnam) which are the main purchasers of Russian arms, Iran should also find a proper status among Russia's major partners. On the role of the anti-Iran sanctions in hampering promotion of Tehran-Moscow ties, Korotchenko said it was clear that the sanctions were approved under the US pressure in the United Nation Security Council. The official stressed that the sanctions would not halt exports of Russia's defense equipments, air defense systems in particular, to Iran. Additionally, he stressed that resumption of talks between Iran and Russia about selling certain weapons which were not among banned items was an issue only related to Iran and Russia./end