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Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0923/Why-Russia-is-cutting-off-major-arms-sales-to-Iran
Russia Cuts Off Major Arms Sales to Iran
(Christian Science Monitor) Fred Weir - After months of sending conflicting signals about whether Russia would fulfill a controversial contract to supply advanced S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Iran, the Kremlin has ordered a halt to all sales of sophisticated Russian weaponry to the Islamic Republic. A decree signed by President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday bans the supply of battle tanks, armored vehicles, large-caliber artillery systems, warplanes, military helicopters, ships, and missiles - including S-300 air defense systems - to Iran as part of measures to bring Russia into compliance with tough sanctions agreed by the UN Security Council in June. Iran has purchased more than $5 billion in Russian weaponry over the past decade, including Tor-M1 short-range antiaircraft missiles, warplanes, submarines, and armored vehicles. The ban on weapons sales has been praised by the U.S. and Israel.