Moscow to deliver missiles to Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree lifting a ban on supplying anti-missile rocket systems to Iran, the Kremlin confirmed.

Moscow would now be able to deliver S-300 anti-missile rocket systems to Iran, easing tensions after Russia cancelled a similar contract in 2010.

Moscow was also implementing an oil-for-goods swap that would include supplying grain, equipment and construction material to Teheran in exchange for crude oil. The deal, worth about 20 billion dollars, would involve Russia buying over 500,000 barrels of Iranian oil a day.

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister said that the deal was not "banned or limited under the current sanctions regime." Ryabkov also argued for a lifting of an arms embargo against Iran once the final nuclear deal was signed.

There was no comment from Teheran on Russia's decision.

Last week, Iran, along with world powers including Russia, USA, Germany, France and China agreed upon a preliminary deal that would lift sanctions from Iran provided the country agreed to curb its nuclear program. The final agreement is to be signed by the end of June this year.

The Middle Eastern nation has been accused by Western countries of developing nuclear weapons, a charge denied by Iran, which argues that it develops nuclear energy solely for civil purposes.

mg/rc (AP, AFP, Reuters)