Russia freezes delivery of S-300 missiles to Iran

Russia reportedly suspended the delivery of S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran after Israeli intelligence information suggesting Iran provides Russian-made weaponry to the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, Israeli media reported citing the Kuwaiti daily Al Jarida.

The move by Russia came a week after the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) branded Hezbollah a terrorist organization, opening up the possibility of further sanctions against the group that wields influence in Lebanon and fights in Syria. Russia and Iran agreed on the delivery of S-300 air defense missile systems last month and Iran pledged not to provide Hezbollah with Russian arms. However, the al-Jarida reported that Israeli intelligence gave Russian President Vladimir Putin evidence that Iran has transferred SA-22 missiles to Hezbollah, reportedly leading Putin to freeze the plans to deliver the S-300 systems to Iran. The Kuwaiti newspaper cited a source reportedly familiar with Putin.

The report in the al-Jarida also said Russian pilots reportedly detected the existence of advance anti-aircraft systems in Hezbollah-controlled territory near the Syria-Lebanon border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month warned it would not accept Iranian "aggression" or the supply of advanced weapons to Hezbollah. "We will not agree to the supply of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, from Syria to Lebanon," Netanyahu said. Moscow blocked deliveries of the surface-to-air missiles to Tehran in 2010 after the U.N. Security Council imposed the curbs on Iran over its nuclear program barring hi-tech weapons sales. However, in April it lifted a ban on selling the missile systems to Iran, ahead of Tehran sealing a final historic deal with world powers in July to curb its nuclear program.