Israeli official: Russia to sell missile system to Tehran

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Russia will provide Iran with advanced anti-aircraft missile systems to ward off attacks on nuclear sites, Reuters reported, citing an unidentified Israeli defense official.

The first delivery of the S-300 could come as soon as September, but the missile program could take six months to a year to initiate, according to the Russian daily Kommersant.

Tehran announced that it ordered the mobile missile systems in December, but the Kremlin shied away from confirming the deal.

The system would extend the current range of Iran’s capabilities to track and shoot down enemy craft, allowing the Iranian forces to track 100 targets at once with a range of 75 miles, Reuters reported.

The deal comes amid Iranian fears that Israel could launch an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites before the end of U.S. President George W. Bush’s term in office.

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