Russia delivers first S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the first S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems were delivered to Iran, as reported by Kommersant citing a statement made by the Press Secretary of the Iranian MFA, Hossein Jaberi Ansari. Iranian television showed footage of the transportation of the missile systems on eight heavy tractors with platforms. Rosoboronexport (state intermediary agency for Russia's exports/imports of defense-related and dual use products, technologies and services) hasn’t commented on the shipment of the first S-300’s to Iran.
However, in early April, Rosoboronexport confirmed that supplies would be sent in the near future. In March, Moscow denied the reports by the Kuwaiti media that the contract for the delivery of anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran was frozen by Russia. There were problems during the implementation regarding the payment mechanisms proposed by Iranian negotiators; according to the contract, the cost of these systems exceeds $1 billion.
The contract for the delivery of four S-300 divisions to Iran was signed by the parties in November 2015. It was initially assumed that anti-aircraft missile systems would be supplied to the Islamic Republic of Iran in mid-2017. Russia and Iran had already concluded a contract for the delivery of S-300’s in 2007. However, the weapons were not supplied as a result of sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council and other trade embargoes. The Iranians initially made a claim in the amount of $4 billion; however, this claim was later cancelled.