Pentagon warns Iran about Russian missile defense deal

The missile does not need support and the fighter can quickly leave the danger zone after firing it, the minister added.

Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan says his country will receive advanced Russian S-300 air defense missile systems by the end of 2015. An arms embargo on conventional weapons also stays, preventing their import and export for five years.

Iranian media outlets report that Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems in recent years.

Iran heralded the launch of a cruise missile production line – but experts said the fanfare might be overblown.

Last week Dehghan said an agreement would be signed this week on the delivery of four S-300 systems in all, which will dramatically improve Iran’s air defense capabilities.

“On the S-300, we’ve long expressed our concerns of reports on this possible sale of this missile system to the Iranians”, said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook at the daily briefing.

Cook declined to talk about what specific options would be available to the administration to defend against the weapons system, only saying that “military” options would be available to the president. “And not going to speculate on any responses from-from the Department of Defense, but this is something we’ve been tracking, and in general, we’re confident in our capabilities, even if that system is sold”.

The decision to deliver the missile systems came after Iran and the P5+1 group of countries reached a mutual understanding on Tehran’s nuclear program in Lausanne on April 2.

At issue is the Abandoned Mine Lands reclamation fund, which has shifted from its roots of fixing old mines.