The United States on Tuesday criticized Russia's sale and delivery of anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran, saying the move sent the wrong signal.

"We don't think that it's an appropriate signal to be sending to the government of Tehran at this time, particularly when they are under UN sanctions for trying to develop a nuclear weapon, and when they continue to be in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions," State Department spokesman Tom Casey said of the sale.

Russia also said it would consider further requests by Tehran for defensive weapons.

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"We have supplied the modern short-range anti-aircraft systems TOR-M1 in accordance with our contracts," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters when asked about the sale.

"We're developing our military and technical cooperation with Iran in accordance with international law and will continue to develop it," he said. "And if Iran wants to buy defensive, I underline defensive, equipment for its armed forces then why not?"

Russian arms sales and nuclear cooperation with Iran have strained relations with Washington, which suspects Tehran of using a nuclear power program as a guise for building an atomic bomb. Iran says it is for peaceful power purposes.

Last month, the United Nations passed a resolution imposing restrictions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology, aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Casey said Washington had discussed with Moscow the sale of military items to Tehran on a number of occasions and the Bush administration would continue to make its views known.

"We also believe as well that we certainly don't want to see any kind of lethal aid or assistance given to any country that's a state sponsor of terror. And as we've said, Iran is the leading state sponsor in the world [of terrorism)]," he said.

Casey acknowledged there was not a "blanket ban" in the UN Security Council resolutions related to conventional weapons transfers to Iran.

Moscow says the sanctions do not apply to the missile systems, which are designed to shoot down aircraft, missiles and other weapons at medium and low altitudes.

Washington last year imposed sanctions on leading Russian arms firms over arms sales to Iran and Syria.