TEHRAN, Jun 7 - Russia says it has received no request from Iran over its S-400 missile defense systems, rejecting a recent report that Moscow had turned down Tehran’s demand amid rising tensions in the region.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - "No,” Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told Sputnik on Friday when asked whether Moscow had received any request from Iran over S-400 missile defense systems.
In a report published on May 30, Bloomberg, citing two people with knowledge of the matter including a senior Russian official, claimed Russia had rejected Iran’s request to buy S-400 missile defense systems, “concerned that the sale would stoke more tension” in the Middle East.
The report came as tensions between the US and Iran escalated in recent weeks, particularly after the US administration sent a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East, citing an alleged unspecified Iranian threat.
Bloomberg further said that the request had been rebuffed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian deputy prime minister added, "Let them [media outlets] continue spreading [fake news]”.
"Everything goes as it goes," he said regarding Iran-Russia cooperation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry also recently said that he had no information regarding the alleged refusal.
In late August 2016, Iran for the first time released footage of transporting and deployment of the Russian S-300 missile defense system.
Russia undertook to deliver the systems — which are used to intercept tactical and ballistic aircraft and projectiles — to Iran under a $800-million deal in 2007 but refused to deliver on the commitment, citing UN sanctions against Iran.
Following Moscow’s refusal to deliver the systems, Iran filed a complaint against the relevant Russian arms manufacturer with the International Court of Arbitration in Geneva. In April 2015, President Vladimir Putin lifted the Russian self-imposed ban on the delivery of the S-300 and subsequently Moscow signed a new contract to supply Iran with the systems by the end of that year. Tehran recently dropped the case at the arbitration court.
Source: Presstv