Putin lifts the ban on sending anti-aircraft missile system to Iran

Vladimir Putin has signed an executive order lifting restrictions on supplying Iran with S-300 surface-to-air missile systems. 

The order lifts a ban on transporting anti-aircraft S-300 missile systems through Russia (including by air) and out of Russia into Iran, and also cancels restrictions on transferring these systems to Iran outside Russia by means of ships and aircraft under the national flag of the Russian Federation.

In 2007, for $900 million, Moscow agreed to supply Tehran with the components for six S-300 missile systems. Reportedly, Iran has already paid Russia for the weapons in full.

In June 2010, the UN Security Council adopted its fourth resolution on sanctions against Iran, imposing strict limits on selling various weapons (surface-to-air missiles included) to Tehran. In October 2010, President Dmitry Medvedev signed an executive order requiring Russia to cease the transfer of the S-300 missiles to Iran, to assure Russian compliance with the UN Security Council resolution.

Iran responded to Medvedev’s decision by suing Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state-owned arms exporter, in Geneva for $4 billion. Tehran has said it’s willing to withdraw the case, if Moscow delivers the weapons, as agreed.

Earlier in April, six nations and Iran reached a preliminary deal that aims to limit Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.