Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., April 19, 2009 Nisan 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:26 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Barak to Russia: Don't sell advanced missiles to Iran By Amos Harel Defense Minister Ehud Barak asked Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov yesterday to prevent his country from selling advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. Defense sources said Barak did not name the S-300 air-defense missile system, whose sale the two countries have been rumored to be negotiating, but referred to it indirectly by saying Israel expects Russia to refrain from introducing weapons that would change the balance of power in the region. Advertisement The international press has reported that Russia and Iran agreed on the sale of the missile system two years ago but that Russia is delaying delivery of the weapons because of pressure from Israel and apparently from the United States. A top Russian defense official says Russia has not delivered any S-300 systems to Iran, the Interfax news agency reported this week. Russia has previously sold the Tor-M1 air-defense missile system and other weapons to Iran in deals criticized by the United States 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. Last year, a senior Defense Ministry envoy urged Russia not to sell Iran the missiles, saying they could help the Islamic Republic destroy Israel, according to a Russian news agency report. The S-300 missile system is also seen as threat to the air forces of U.S. allies such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, and Taiwan, which are not equipped with aircraft that can counter the weapons. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hebrew harmony Watch American Idol star Adam Lambert singing in Hebrew Top recipes exposed Try the cheap way to eat in some of Tel Aviv's top restaurants

Read & React Netanyahu demands Palestinians recognize 'Jewish state' Responses: 340 Obama wants Israel to hold parallel talks with Palestinians and Syria Responses: 151 'Israel could have made peace with Hamas under Yassin' Responses: 90 Yossi Melman: I would advise Netanyahu to attack Iran Responses: 118 Hamas: We will never recognize the enemy in any way Responses: 109 More Headlines 00:27 U.S. to boycott Durban II anti-racism meet 22:02 'No reason to meet pathological Holocaust denier' 17:30 Report: Hezbollah cell in Egypt planned to recruit Israeli Arabs 21:09 Egypt state daily: Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah tried to overthrow Mubarak 17:34 ANALYSIS / Hezbollah and Iran have become Egyptian targets 18:11 Mitchell in Cairo: Egypt vital to achieving Mideast peace 21:36 Natan Sharansky named Netanyahu's pick for Jewish Agency head 22:31 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 22:31 'IDF eyes attack on Iran within hours of green light' 23:06 Hundreds protest in Tel Aviv over killing of Palestinian in Bil'in 19:31 Egypt uncovers 5 smuggling tunnels near Gaza border 22:32 Hamas praises driver who hit 2 Israeli policemen in West Bank 20:05 New Holocaust museum to open in Skokie, Illinois 18:22 10,000 Orthodox Christians celebrate holy fire ritual in Jerusalem 19:40 Clinton 'deeply diappointed' with Iran sentencing of U.S. reporter Previous Editions Select Day 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 12 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 05 apr

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