Russia says in talks with Iran on new nuclear plants
Russia: Iran sanctions won't affect sale of S-300 missiles, will only impact deals regarding mobile missiles.
By News Agencies Tags: Israel news Iran nuclearRussia said on Thursday it was in discussions with Iran on possible new nuclear power plants in the Islamic state, the country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaking in Moscow on April 6, 2010 |
| Photo by: Reuters |
"We are discussing these [new plants] with our Iranian partners, we are practically discussing this now," Lavrov said.
Earlier Thursday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said that new United Nations sanctions against Tehran over its contentious nuclear program do not oblige Moscow to scrap a controversial deal to deliver surface-to-air missiles to Iran.
The clarification came after the Russian Interfax news agency cited an arms industry source as saying Russia would freeze its unfulfilled contract to sell S-300 missiles to Iran after the UN Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions on the Islamic Republic Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told journalists, however, that the UN resolution does not apply to air-defense systems, with the exception of mobile missiles.
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A Russian-made S-300 missile |
| Photo by: Kremlin |
The report citing an unidentified source in Russia's arms industry contradicted Russian officials and others who have said the sanctions approved on Wednesday with Moscow's support would not affect the air-defense missile deal.
"The UN Security Council decision is binding for all countries and Russia is no exception," Interfax cited the source as saying. "Naturally, the contract to deliver S-300 missile systems will be frozen."
Russia has used its unfulfilled deal to provide Iran with S-300 missiles as a lever in its delicate diplomacy with Tehran and Western powers seeking to rein in Iran's nuclear activity, which they say is aimed at acquiring atomic weapons.
Israel and the United States have asked Russia not to deliver the missile systems, which can shoot down several aircraft or missiles simultaneously and could potentially be used to protect nuclear facilities.
Western diplomats in Moscow believe Russia is eager to keep the deal in reserve as a bargaining chip. Iran has expressed increasing frustration over the unfulfilled contract.
Russia's move toward support for the new sanctions against Iran has been accompanied by repeated assurances that the measures would not affect the S-300 deal.
The latest came on Thursday from the Kremlin-allied chairman of the International Affairs committee in Russia's lower parliament house. Konstantin Kosachyov said the S-300 is a defensive weapon and would not be affected, Itar-Tass reported.
In Washington, Republican U.S. Senator Jon Kyl criticized the UN sanctions resolution on Wednesday for excluding the S-300 deal and Russia's construction of Iran's first nuclear power plant near Bushehr.
Russia has close ties with Iran and has worked with China, also a veto-wielding UN Security Council member, to water down Western-backed sanctions resolutions against Tehran, including the latest one.
But Moscow has been increasingly critical of Tehran's rejection of a proposal to ease concerns about the purpose of its nuclear program by having uranium shipped to Russia for enrichment.
U.S. President Barack Obama has courted Russian support for the new sanctions, and administration officials have pointed to Moscow's backing as a positive result of a "reset" aimed to improve long-strained ties.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday warned Russia not to side with "Iran's enemies" by supporting the sanctions.
Officials said Ahmadinejad, unlike last year, would stay away from a summit of a Central Asian security organization led by Russia and China starting on Thursday in Uzbekistan.
Israel and U.S. hail UN vote, as Turkey calls it a 'mistake'
Israel and the United States hailed the United Nations vote to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran, which immediately vowed to continue with its nuclear program.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the new sanctions a "positive" step, but expressed hope that it would lead countries to take broader economic and diplomatic measures, including sanctions on the Iranian energy sector.
"The UN Security Council resolution passed today, led by the determination of President Obama, is a positive step," Netanyahu said. "The resolution made clear to Iran that the world's leading powers oppose its nuclear program."
"The biggest danger to peace is that the most dangerous regimes in the world will use the most dangerous weapons of all. The international community needs to continue to keep the prevention of this threat at the top its agenda."
Netanyahu's words echoed an earlier statement by the Foreign Ministry that described UN Security Council resolution 1929 as an "important step." "It is of great importance to implement the decision fully and immediately," the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, said the sanctions "can serve as a viable platform for launching very far-reaching sanctions by the United States or like-minded nations against Iran."
Those sanctions could be aimed at Iran's ability to import gasoline, he said.
"They have a lot of oil, but not a lot of refined oil or the ability to export oil abroad," Oren said.
Obama, meanwhile, said the new sanctions send an "unmistakable message" that the international community will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Speaking shortly after the Security Council voted to impose some of the toughest sanctions on Iran so far, Obama faulted the Islamic state's leaders for failing to seriously address concerns about the country's nuclear activities.
"These are the most comprehensive sanctions that the Iranian government has faced," Obama said.
Turkey, which voted against the imposition of sanctions, called the UN move a "mistake" and said that together with Brazil it would continue to seek a diplomatic solution to remove concerns over Iran's nuclear program.
Iran on Wednesday rejected the resolution over its nuclear activities, vowing to continue enriching uranium. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed as "valueless" the resolution, which passed by 12 votes to two with one abstention, saying it should be thrown out.
"This resolution is not worth a penny for Iran and I sent a message to each one of them [UN Security Council members] that your resolution is like a used handkerchief which should go into a garbage can," the Iran Student News agency quoted him as saying.
"They [world powers] will not be able to harm us," added Ahmadinejad, who is currently on a visit in Tajikistan.
Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast called the UN Security Council vote to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran a "wrong move".
"It was not a constructive step...to resolve the nuclear issue. It will make the situation more complicated," Mehmanparast said.
Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog, said after the vote that Iran would not halt its nuclear enrichment activities. "Nothing will change. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue uranium enrichment activities," Ali Asghar Soltanieh told reporters in Vienna shortly after the UN vote in New York
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Iran doesn't need a nuclear bomb to destroy the world. all that's needed is a hi speed boat, a box full of hand grenades and about 1 hour in the off shore oil fields. Just look at the gulf of Mexico if you need a lesson.
Why does Israel State react to Russia which sells Iran, 'defence' system? Is it because Israel has an hidden agenda to attack Iran? I fairly want to say, Israel is the only country that has illegally nuclear weapons, so Iran has also right to have nuclear arms to stop Israel.
Well, S-300 is the final point, you cannot fly past that beast. So actually better for IAF which will not have to spend all that fuel cost for the flights up to Iran because they won't be flying unless they want to resume Kamikaze roles. Sorry dudes, done deal...
Iran paid for that system a long time ago while Russia developed the upgraded S-400. That's the system Iran wants and that's what it will get.
The S-300 is an air-defense system. If Israel is lucky, it will refrain from attacking Iran which is beyond its power anyhow. There are too many nuclear installations in Iran, which will require many sorties and a need for midair refueling (where?). And an attack will not go without a response, also against the US. Netanyahu, just forget this dream and leave the matter to the US and its allies. So far, we see progress in tightening the screws around Iran's neck.
We have to survive another 2.5 years and then hopefully will have in White House someone who would act on Iran rather than pretend doing something.
Just when I thought I was wrong about an informal Putin/Ahmadinejad/Erdogan/Assad partnership was in the making to address a few mutual concerns.
because it essentially stops Israel from attacking Iran. A course of events which nobody on Planet Earth wants, apart from Netanyahu. As since the Flotilla debacle is probably the only way he has left now to ensure his name on the door of the Prime Minister's Office long term.
do no praise too much the stealth of the russians. it is the americans that have stealth. should russia decide to deliver the s-300, israel would certainly consider the delivery as a stab in the back--indeed, so would the united states. some agreements are what we call gentlemen's agreements.
That resolution clearly went out of its way to include mention of the "UN Register of Conventional Arms" in the text. That is no accident, and so you have to ask yourself why that reference was ever inserted. The answer: UNRCA Category VII(b) "Does not include ground-to-air missiles".
Why would anyone consider another nation being given defensive capability a stab in the back unless she was planning an attack? These missiles are only usable in a defensive mode.
Perhaps S300 would be somewhat successful against non stealth aircraft. How do they work against tactical nuclear missiles? The thing to do now is force a regime change. Totally cut off their supply of gasoline. This means a blockade. They can't refine their own. Obama is a pacifist President and is in self denial concerning Islamic extremism and terrorism. He will neither talk the talk nor walk the walk. Its like Jimmy Carter has been reborn with a Marxist mentality.
1) Great idea...suggesting the use of tactical nukes against Iran. The Iranian response to your suggestion...will be to enrich/build more quickly. Strange how difficult it is for Israelis to understand that Iranians want nuclear weapons for exactly the same reasons as you. 2) Whether Obama is a pacifist or not is irrelevant...the problem is not Obama- what truly bothers you is that you depend so heavily on the US for Israel's defense that it cramps your style when a POTUS denies a support request...the good news is that the solution is totally in Israeli hands.
What are you thinking? A blockade is an act of war! Iran would consider it the same as an attack and respond the same way.
Becareful you dont wake up China.
we, the people, are being deluded by deluded leaders. the "sanctions" work only to privide a veil behind which iran will continue to enrich uranium, build miniturised warheads and ballistic missiles. nothing has changed except a handshake.
I was not aware that iran had built 'any' bombs. Would you care to support the hyperbole?
Israel has nuclear weapons and refuses to sign the treaty! Sanctions! Embargo! Why this double standard? Israel has been proved (just recently again!) to be a very dangerous AND agressive country.
Now Israel has them. Iran wants them. So let them. I am not a support of Iran of Ahmedj, but if we want a nuclear free Middle-East, then Israel’s weapons will have to go
if iran had already built a bomb, the issue would be moot. however, sanctions will not work in any case. north korea and pakistan have bombs even though they are poor as church mice.
Are you aware the extreme islamists exist? Are you aware they are willing to die for their extreme believes?Are you aware iran lost 3,000,000 soldiers some as young as 14 in the Iran iraq war.can you imagine 3,000,000 dead in a western country?belive the countless inteligence services not only israels that say they have no doubt the nucliar programe is beyond just atomic energy
they withhold arms to the Arabs and the Muslims, then arm Israel to the teeth and when Israel wins a war they called it miraculous and gods in on their side, yet, if they really believed that why would they spend so much time trying to make it so that others in the region don't get advance weapons, for after all, why fear when god in on your side? You'd think that nothing bad had ever happened to the jews or never were exiled or that Israel is the longest surviving state in the world because ----god is on their side. :)
Israel won its first two wars with little to no help (certainly not from the US) and survived against all odds when fighting several larger arab nations. It was no miracle, they were fighting Arabs, thats why they won. As for other nations not getting weapons, there is a reason for this too. why should a nation run by crazed reliiuos despots get weapons of mass destruction? Did you not learn anything from the Iran-Iraq wars?
CONGRATS TO "EUROPEAN" FOR HIS BOLD STANCE.
...is because she is surrounded by countries determined to destroy her.She would love to NOT have her population living on their nerves,and everyone spending years in the forces in their teenage years when they should be enjoying lifewlifebeyears of their livesa
and no one was supplying the arabs this is a fact - can Israel still win with the amount of armament that it gets from the US also going to Iran and Syria? NO. Israel is a messianic state that treats its Christian horribly (spat at frequently in Jerusalem) and the Palestinians like Jews in Europe - yet, it asks the Christian west for help and money constantly, Israel was established by the west as a final solution to out Jewish problem (no one wanted the refugees, needed a depository) it was not established independently by jews, hence, the early zionist (many who were terrorists) lobbied heavily the British
..would that include the '56 embarrassment, when Israel was forced to crawl back through the Sinai with your tail between your legs? Wars are not won, wars are not tennis games, wars are not finished until justice prevails, wars are not fought with military means only . Look in the mirror for the real moron.
The Israel lobby is still strong in Britain,80% of the Conservative MPs are affiliated with freinds of israel in the UK. Plus labour and one can say few liberals.
Why should Iran not buy surface-to-air missiles? They are defensive weapons. Every state has the right to defend itself, right? Mark Marshall Toronto, Canada
The thing is that mighty IDF feels much more comfortable bombing defenseless countries / towns / populations than having to face return fire, you see. This is why defensive weapons must be banned from their enemies.
Yes, it helps keep up the illusion in the region that they are tough and even god given in their efforts to subjugate the region and the crusading conquest of Palestine - give people defensive and pray not, offensive weapons, and we'll have another P.R. disaster like the last Lebanon war. :-/ oh dear!
From Venezuela to Iran and Pakistan - everyone should see the real face of Russia - they are playing both sides of the coin and have no moral compass to guide them, hence they are lost with a negative (dying) population growth - they are enveloped by the waning shadow of a defeated nation. Venezuela should cancel all orders - these people have no morals or loyalties -
Ray, this is neither an unjust sanction nor will it result in any more American deaths in Iraq or Afghanistan. However, even if it did for the sake of argument, I'd rather we suffer a few more deaths on the ground than be subject to a real nuclear threat by a country run by radical Muslim zealots who call us "the Great Satan." They could give a whole new meaning to "suicide bombers."
'I'd rather we suffer a few more deaths ' Are you talking about you the soldier, your family soldiers, your kids, or unknown US soldiers.
# 18 U say " I'd rather suffer a few more deaths on the ground than be subject to a real nuclear threat run by radical muslim zealots....". My comments are: a. The deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are happening NOW, whereas the other scenario presented is based on a hypothetical assumption that Iran is enriching Uranium to make a bomb, which it will eventually USE against ISRAEL as Iran is going to be ruled ALWAYS by " MUSLIM RADICAL ZEALOTS". Iran has consistently denied that it is seeking a bomb. So did Saddam before Iraq invasion and yet Iraq was attacked. How many centrifuges and bomb-making factories did the US or UN Inspection Teams find in Iraq after the war? NONE . b.Compare the number of instances that Iran has invaded other countries during last 20 years against Israel's record. NONE by Iran. Several Dozens by Israel. What conclusion do U draw? Who should be called 'rabid' - The "Muslim Radical Zealots or the 'Zionist Radical Jews? c. Israel with it's stockpile of nukes and missiles poses a present and imminent threat to all it's neighbouring Arab/Muslim countries including Turkey and a future threat to Europe including jRussia. They have not forgotten or forgiven the "ghettos" of Europe or the death camps of Poland and Germany.
they'll lose out on a lot of business, because Iran will put its development of an indigenous missile defence system into crash priority, and as soon as they can demonstrate it (which would be next year most likely) they will have any buyer who is concerned about US cutting them off lining up (which is the majority of those who turn to the Russian system) at Iran's door.
There are a lot of people in both America and Russia that would live to see a live fire, real life, face off between modern American aircraft and modern Russian anti-aircraft weapons. The best chance for this show is in the middle east. Israel and Iran are only a side show. The real story, and the prestige lies in how the weapons of the great world powers perform.
Russia doesn't deliver the S-300 to Iran because it's much less effective that announced. They deliver it to countries that won't use it e.g. Greece .If Israel or the U.S. prove that this system is inefficient, Russia can forget the sale of such type of armament. Do you remember what happens in Syria with Russian air defense ?
"The report, which cited an unidentified source in Russia's arms industry," riiiiiiiiiight. So the Russians are using this source to put out this story, correct? "contradicted Russian officials " OK, sorry, you've lost me now..... It is quite one thing to use an unidentified source to say something that you don't want to say out loud, it is quite another thing to use such a source to contradict OFFICIAL Russian statements.
"According to Le Figaro, the language of the Iran sanctions draft resolution (.pdf) floated last week by the Obama administration would not prohibit delivery of the long-contracted but repeatedly delayed Iranian purchase of Russian S-300 air defense systems. The draft prohibits the sale or transfer to Iran of "missiles or missile systems as defined for the purpose of the United Nations Register on Conventional Arms." As Le Fig points out, that register explicitly does not include ground-to-air missiles such as the S-300. Pretty clever, as far as stealth concessions to Russia go." - http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/ I checked the language of the UN sanction resolution and the UN Register, and this comment is indeed correct.
You have much to much time on your hands. Maybe you should try getting a job instead of spending all your life checking out all the sources for your constant anti Israel postings.
dont worry iran, the turks will be with you everytime, israelis must look their nuclear activities and guns first, the great powers arent fair to iran, they are right to gain nuclear power because they have dangerous enemies like israel and i want to say also, israel isnt a democratic country and russia must look to israels nuclear power first.
typical Russia stands by who paying more
Because they passed this unjust sanction aganist Iran , I am sure that know Iran will bite back and make diffcult for USA /European soliders hell in Afganistan and Iraq. Mark my word.
Sanctions never worked neither against the Cubans, nor agaainst the Iraqism nor against the Gazans, and will not work against the Iranians. Unfortunately now Iran can say you do not believe me when i tell you i was trying to generate fuel for a nuclear power plant. Maybe i will now also evelop a bomb! Peace can only be reached by justice and common sense! The iranians have very smart scientists you know!
and in the meantime it is full speed ahead by Iran to complete it's nuclear program or am I missing a point ?
Now China, it's your turn.
Of course Russia will provide these systems to Iran under cover. The question is whether Syria and Hizbollah already have them.
You are confusing between what does happened and what you would like to take place.
The good old Natalie always speaks in hypothetical form. She/he should be a fiction novelist.
AIPAC SONG! I’ll give you all I’ve got to give, if you say you love Israel I may not have a lot to give, but what I got I’ll give to you I do care, well Much for money Money can buy me love Can buy me love, everybody tells me so Can buy me love, oh oh oh
"Naturally, the contract to deliver S-300 missile systems will be frozen," Interfax cited an unidentified source in Russia's arms industry as saying. This kind of news, citing an unidentified source is far from the truth. It is a tactic to push the source to respond. In this situation, the intended purpose of the news is to push Russian officials to talk.
This is a welcome development, that would make the sky over Tehran less aggressive.
Hyporcrates! Iran will laugh last
What does he have to do with all of this? I mean....I do realise the hypocratic oath does not mean much anymore these days, but still...a far stretch dragging the poor sod's name into this...
russia blinked and thanks to G-d.
Wow that is a source. I suppose what Putin says doesn't count. The sanctions are not aimed at China or Russia but rather just buying Obama some time before the US right wingers attack him for his policy against Iran. All these referenses by Haaretz to "falafal sellers" saying this or that is rather pathetic and shows the newspaper is "losing it". Sorry, but I hoope that this fact doesn't stop you from allowing this opinion of mine.
is always unhelpful, but the point of bringing the subject up is there. Wilthese sanctions stop Russia from sending S-300's to Iran?
russia taking advantages of both sides in conflict such an unhonored way to make money
I guess there have been enormous amount of weapons being inflitrated from Russia to Iran for decades. And these clandestine transactions are mostly possible thanks to their geographical proximity. For those discussing the moral side of the issue of making money on selling of missiles, does capitalism have morals ???