AFP, Paris :
Russia’s decision to supply Iran with the S-300 missile air defence system was seen by critics in Israel and the United States as proof this month’s framework nuclear agreement was already making Tehran more of a threat.
But some experts said the controversial move could make it difficult for Iran’s enemies to propose air strikes against its nuclear facilities, thus bolstering the case for a diplomatic solution.
Israel was predictably angered by Russia’s decision to arm its arch-foe.
“Instead of demanding that Iran desist from the terrorist activity that it is carrying out in the Middle East and throughout the world, it is being allowed to arm itself with advanced weapons that will only increase its aggression,” said Israel’s Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz.
The United States took a similar line, with State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf saying: “We think given Iran’s destabilising actions in the region, in places like Yemen or Syria or Lebanon, that this isn’t the time to be selling these kinds of system to them.”
But some analysts said Russia’s decision was in line with its hopes to secure a lasting deal that will stop Iran building a nuclear bomb and removed global sanctions on the Islamic republic.
“The goal of the Russians is certainly not to help out the West, but nor do they want to see a nuclear Iran,” said Francois Heisbourg, chairman of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
Russia’s decision to supply Iran with the S-300 missile air defence system was seen by critics in Israel and the United States as proof this month’s framework nuclear agreement was already making Tehran more of a threat.
But some experts said the controversial move could make it difficult for Iran’s enemies to propose air strikes against its nuclear facilities, thus bolstering the case for a diplomatic solution.
Israel was predictably angered by Russia’s decision to arm its arch-foe.
“Instead of demanding that Iran desist from the terrorist activity that it is carrying out in the Middle East and throughout the world, it is being allowed to arm itself with advanced weapons that will only increase its aggression,” said Israel’s Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz.
The United States took a similar line, with State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf saying: “We think given Iran’s destabilising actions in the region, in places like Yemen or Syria or Lebanon, that this isn’t the time to be selling these kinds of system to them.”
But some analysts said Russia’s decision was in line with its hopes to secure a lasting deal that will stop Iran building a nuclear bomb and removed global sanctions on the Islamic republic.
“The goal of the Russians is certainly not to help out the West, but nor do they want to see a nuclear Iran,” said Francois Heisbourg, chairman of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
