Russia Reneges on Iran S-300 Deal

The Guardian newspaper reports that Russia has decided not to supply the S-300 air defense system to Iran.

General Nikolai Makarov, the armed forces chief of staff, told Russian media today that delivery of the S-300 high-precision weapons system would violate the UN sanctions imposed on Iran because of concerns about its nuclear programme.
"A decision was taken not to supply S-300s to Iran," Makarov was quoted as saying by the state-run RIA. "They definitely fall under sanctions. There has been an instruction from the leadership to stop the shipment, and we are obeying it."

US State Department has already conceded that the UN sanctions resolution does not prohibit the S-300 sale to Iran.

RIA Novosti reported in June that Russia's Foreign Ministry said the sale of the S-300 would proceed.

Since both the US and Russia know that the S-300 is not included in the sanctions regime--and each knows that the other knows--there must be some secret agreement operative in the cancellation of the S-300 deal.

Potential responses by Iran should perhaps include certain inconveniences for Russia in its Caspian dealings