Iran said Sunday that if Russia did not provide it with S-300 missiles soon, it would begin to manufacture the land-to-air defenses by itself.
"Iran is not a country that is held back by a lack of cooperation from other countries," Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who heads Iran's National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Aftab Yazd daily.
"Naturally and in light of Iran's capabilities, it will be able to produce missile defense systems in the near future," he added.
Boroujerdi gave no additional details, but was apparently referring to the possible production of missiles similar to the S-300.
He said he had recently met with Russia's ambassador to Tehran and told him that "despite the delay in delivery of the system by the Russian government, the Russian ambassador feels that the two-way commitment must be honored".
The parliament member's statement joined dozens of others from Iranian officials, who have attempted to warn Russia against further delay in the arms deal.
Last week Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi called on Russia not to capitulate to "Zionist pressure", and to fulfill its end of the deal. "We have a contract with Russia, and I don't think it wants to be perceived by the rest of the world as an unreliable partner," he said.
Russia has signed an arms deal with Iran to supply the Islamic Republic with the advanced land-to-air missiles, but has not yet delivered them. Israel fears these defenses could interfere with a possible strike on its nuclear facilities.
The S-300 are credited with the ability to intercept jets and ballistic missiles at ranges of 140 km, and heights of around 30 km.
Posts
