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Last update - 14:58 19/12/2008
'Russian arms sales could help Iran obliterate Israel'
By The Associated Press
Tags: Israel News, Missiles, Iran 

A senior Defense Ministry envoy has urged Russia not to sell Iran advanced anti-aircraft missiles, saying they could help the Islamic Republic destroy Israel, according to a Russian news agency report.

"The deliveries of dangerous armaments to our enemies won't serve the interests of peace and, for instance, can help Iran wipe Israel off the face of earth," the Interfax news agency quoted envoy Amos Gilad was quoted as saying.

Gilad also reportedly said Israel believes Russia will respect his country's interests. "So we expect Russia to demonstrate responsibility on the issue."
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The official, who was visiting Moscow, was responding to a question about possible deliveries of Russian S-300 air defense missiles to Iran.

Some Russian media have claimed that a deal has already been struck to sell the missiles, but Russian officials have denied it.

Russia has previously sold Tor-M1 air-defense missiles and other weapons to Iran in deals criticized by the U.S. and Israel. The long-range S-300 is a much more advanced weapon that would make any potential Israeli strike at Iran's nuclear facilities more difficult.

Israel, the United States and much of the international community believe that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons, but Iran insists its uranium enrichment program is intended solely for civilian energy needs.

Russia has maintained close ties with Iran and is building the Islamic republic's first nuclear power plant, which is expected to go on line next year. Russia has backed limited United Nations sanctions against Iran, but has staunchly resisted the U.S. push for harsher measures.

According to Interfax, Gilad denied allegations that Russia and Israel had struck a secret deal under which Israel would abstain from selling weapons to Georgia and Russia wouldn't sell weapons to Iran.

He added, however, that Israel would take Russia's interests into account. "And we expect a similar approach from Russia," he was quoted as saying.

In recent months, Israel has done its best to make Russia happy. It has distanced itself from Georgia, announcing even before Georgia's August war with Russia that it was cutting weapons sales to Tbilisi. Israel later further restricted defense contacts and even instructed defense consultants not to visit the Caucasus nation.

Russia's top military officer said this week that Moscow is negotiating with Israel to buy a batch of spy drones in what would be its first ever purchase of military hardware from Israel.


Related articles:
  • Russia in talks with Iran over sale of anti-aircraft missiles, despite Israeli objections
  • Iran: We haven't bought Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries
  • Russia denies plans to deliver long-range S-300 missiles to Iran
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      1.   Did Israel respect Russia`s 11:53  |  Chris Linthwaite 19/12/08
      2.   Israeli attack on Russian-built reactor? 13:26  |  Manny Goldstein 19/12/08
      3.   Russia to sell 24 S100 systems. How many Russian tourists died? 13:34  |  Dan 19/12/08
      4.   Those who try to scare the Jewish people ... 13:36  |  Edith 19/12/08
      5.   too late, too late, too late, too late 13:53  |  Syruce 19/12/08
      6.   To #1 - Chris Boo-hoo 13:54  |  AIC 19/12/08
      7.   Great news 13:54  |  Marwan 19/12/08
      8.   Chris 13:55  |  Michael 19/12/08
      9.   Russia will sell S-300 air defense missiles to Iran 14:31  |  Joseph.E 19/12/08
      10.   LINTHWAITE AND RESPECT 14:39  |  Brant 19/12/08
      11.   to #1 14:52  |  yosi 19/12/08
      12.   #1 15:01  |  Jeff 19/12/08
      13.   The S-300 is a defensive weapon 15:06  |  Danny 19/12/08
      14.   same o same 15:07  |  jo 19/12/08
      15.   No Chris, Israel Sold Offensive Weapons to Georgia... 15:07  |  Reader 19/12/08
      16.   `Russian arms sales could help Iran obliterate Israel` 15:17  |  Bruce 19/12/08
      17.   Learning From The Best. 15:46  |  Cool B 19/12/08
      18.   Amos Gilad is blined, (RUSSIA UNDERSTANDS ONLY PREASURE) 16:13  |  like it is 19/12/08
      19.   Chris Linthwaite 16:24  |  D 19/12/08
      20.   AA missiles 16:24  |  Iamashamed 19/12/08
      21.   Russia-Iran/The New Axis 16:53  |  Motty Levi 19/12/08
      22.   To Chris Luftwaffe 16:53  |  David 19/12/08
      23.   How ? 16:57  |  Baz Mann 19/12/08
      24.   `Russian arms sales could help Iran obliterate Israel` 17:00  |  Arshad 19/12/08
      25.   Isn`t S-300 Air DEFENSE Missile? 17:01  |  Persian Kitty 19/12/08
      26.   #3 Brant 17:05  |  Chris Linthwaite 19/12/08
      27.   Israel sells weapons to anyone... 17:53  |  Silvienne 19/12/08
      28.   Sorry Joseph, The USA will not sell F22`s to Israel 18:46  |  Patriotic American 19/12/08
      29.   Iran couldn`t destroy Iraq, let alone Israel - Please! 19:00  |  D 19/12/08
      30.   Russian frustration 19:52  |  Dr D 19/12/08
      31.   #6 Dr D 20:36  |  Chris Linthwaite 19/12/08
      32.   Destroy Israel? 20:50  |  Mark 19/12/08
      33.   Re: #6/ Santissima e beata ignoranza 21:39  |  Motty Levi 19/12/08
      34.   re: Chris Linthwaite 22:18  |  UsedToPostHere 19/12/08
      35.   Demagogic nonsense 22:21  |  Jan Elshout 19/12/08
      36.   Unless This "Associated Press" guy is lying again... 22:23  |  UsedToPostHere 19/12/08
      37.   #5 "Patriotic American" 22:32  |  reality check 19/12/08
      38.   F-300`S range. 00:11  |  zaz 20/12/08
      39.   when wil israel act for israel not other interests 01:28  |  seth thomas 20/12/08
      40.   Brant (#3) 01:29  |  jjvanka 20/12/08
      41.   #6 - D 01:59  |  BigBird 20/12/08
      42.   Scripture 02:15  |  Paul 20/12/08
      43.   Oh My! 02:23  |  Jim 20/12/08
      44.   Russian arms sales could help Iran obliterate Arab-Suni States 03:12  |  Joseph.E 20/12/08
      45.   To John Oppenheimer, a man of peace. 03:17  |  EstEuroSpaniard 20/12/08
      46.   Start publizist OFFENSIVE at once 03:58  |  achjaa 20/12/08
      47.   TO LATE ISRAEL, they already have them 04:04  |  VIPER 20/12/08
      48.   anti-israeli armarments 04:21  |  achnee 20/12/08
      49.   Defense can be part of strategic assault 05:00  |  Achnee 20/12/08
      50.   Usual war-mongering propaganda 05:26  |  Bob Harvey 20/12/08
      51.   Military basic knowledge 05:28  |  Achjaa 20/12/08
      52.   OhYes USA-Bob :"ISRAEL without zionism" nuclear cleansing.... 07:47  |  Achneee 20/12/08
      53.   Name one good reason 09:23  |  An American 20/12/08
      54.   # 2. Manny Goldstein 09:51  |  Evan 20/12/08
      55.   Refusal of Saudi Plan has already obliterated Israel 10:00  |  Ivar 20/12/08
      56.   #5 10:02  |  Evan 20/12/08
      57.   ...Must Read! 15:49  |  UK 20/12/08
      58.   # 29 FROM YOUR LIPS TO G-DS EARS! 16:02  |  Petra 20/12/08
      59.   #53 A good reason you say?!! 10:53  |  Cathy 21/12/08
      60.   re: zaz 15:14  |  UsedToPostHere 21/12/08
      61.   re: Patriotic American 17:13  |  UsedToPostHere 21/12/08
      62.   Dear People in Israel, 11:55  |  Igor 22/12/08
      63.   #59 07:14  |  An American 24/12/08
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