Putin lifts Russia’s ban on delivery of missiles to Iran

President Vladimir Putin has lifted the ban on Russia’s delivery of a sophisticated air defence missile system to Iran, the Kremlin said.

Russia signed the 800 million US dollar contract to sell Iran the S-300 missile system in 2007, but later suspended their delivery because of strong objections from the United States and Israel.

Iran filed a lawsuit with a court in Geneva seeking 4 billion dollars in damages for breach of contract, but the court has not issued a ruling.

Russia has insisted that its decision in 2010 to freeze the S-300 delivery was based on the sanctions the United Nations Security Council imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme.

Iran reached a framework deal with world powers this month that is intended to significantly restrict its ability to produce nuclear weapons while giving it relief from international sanctions. The agreement is supposed to be finalised by June 30.

There is no firm agreement on how or when to lift the sanctions.