No air defense sales to troubled regions: Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia denied on Thursday it would sell air defense systems to "troubled regions" after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tried this month to win a pledge from Moscow that it would not sell advanced arms to Iran.
Asked if Russia had promised not to deliver S-300 defense systems to Iran, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We have already repeatedly stated at the very highest political levels that we do not intend to deliver those types of arms to countries which are located in troubled regions."
Media reports in the past few months, citing security sources, have said Russia may sell the Iran S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, a weapon that could help Tehran fend off an attack by Israel or the United States.
"I can tell you that questions about acquiring certain types of Russian arms can be raised by this or that country but the decision (on whether to sell) is taken at the high political level," spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told journalists.
Such decisions were made "based on the need to preserve both the balance of forces in the region from where the request comes and the need to preserve stability and security," he said.
Russia has in the past denied it is selling Iran the S-300 but Israeli defense sources told Reuters this month Moscow and Tehran were discussing the purchase.
The most advance version of the S-300 system can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 km (75 miles) away. It is known in the West as the SA-20.
Israel, the United States and other states suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, using its civilian nuclear program as a cover. Iran has denied any such intention.
U.S. President George W. Bush has refused to rule out using force against Iran, although he says he is committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution.
Russia has worked with Western states in the United Nations to pressure Iran into complying with international demands over its nuclear program. However, Moscow has blocked Western attempts to impose tougher sanctions on Iran.
Russia has strong economic ties with Iran, including energy interests and a contract worth an estimated $1 billion to build the Islamic Republic's first nuclear power station at Bushehr on the Persian Gulf.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Dobbie)
