Abandon 1995 embargo (200 words)

Published: 1/11/2001

196 During a 3-day visit to Teheran in late December, the Russian Defence Minister, Igor Sergeyev, suggested that Russia would resume arms export to Iran, though the exports would consist of spare parts for the Iranian armed forces. The move ends Russia's self-imposed embargo on sales to Iran, established after agreement between the US and Russia in 1995. Sergeyev described relations between the two countries as being in a “new phase of military and technical co-operation”. The Iranian press reported that no specific discussion re hardware took place during the visit. According to Interfax, the Iranian Air Force's Su-24s and MiG-29s are in need of spare parts and that the Russians would be interested in undertaking such contracts. The Iranians have suggested that they would also be interested in the acquisition of Su-25s, Mi-17 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems. Potential contracts are reported to be worth $2 billion. The Russian press has intimated that the Minister's comments and his visit were timed so as to make it evident to the US that Russia regarded itself as having a number of options when opposing the US's anti strategic missile programme - through its own regional military cooperation policy.

Article ID: 2280