Israel urges Russia not to deliver arms to Iran, especially S-300 missile systems

Israel urges Russia not to deliver arms to Iran, especially S-300 missile systems

December 19, 2008 at 09:49 | Interfax-Ukraine
Moscow, Dec. 19 (Interfax) - Israel hopes that Russia will take into account its security interests in arms deliveries to the Middle East, senior Israeli Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad has said.

"The deliveries of dangerous armaments to our enemies won't serve the interests of peace and, for instance, can help Iran wipe Israel off the face of earth. So we expect Russia to demonstrate responsibility on the issue. We know that we are expected to respect Russia's interests. We in turn expect that Russia will respect our interests, the willingness of our small country to live in peace," he said in an interview with Interfax answering a question about the possible deliveries of S-300 (SA-10 Grumble) medium-range surface-to-air missiles.

Gilad said Israel believes Iran wants to develop a military nuclear program.

And this is a very dangerous combination with a regime that is openly naming its objective to wipe Israel off the world map and alter the entire region, he said.

He said nuclear Iran would be a strategic threat to the entire Middle East.

"This is one of the reasons why arms helping Iran to carry out its plans should not be delivered," Gilad said.

However, he denied reports that Russia and Israel have signed covert agreement on deliveries of sensitive armaments to third countries under which Israel, for instance, will not be selling arms to Georgia and Russia to Iran.

"No, there is no such agreement. It is a fact that we are not threatening the national security of Russia. We have lasting relations and we are building our policy on their basis. We are building it on respect for Russia's interests. And we expect a similar approach from Russia. This is not a deal or an issue for bargaining," Gilad said.