Tehran Mulls Russian Arms Purchase for Iranian Ground Troops

Moscow and Tehran are currently holding consultations on the purchase of Russian arms for Iran’s ground troops, the head of the delegation from Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport said at the RAE-2015 military exhibition on Wednesday.

NIZHNY TAGIL (Sputnik) – The international Russia Arms Expo 2015 will run from September 9-12. Around 160 companies and representatives from 65 countries are expected at the event.

“It is no secret the Islamic Republic of Iran is interested in Russian weapons and there is a long history of Russian-Iranian military-technical cooperation has led to holding consultations on reaching agreements that don’t contradict international obligations from both sides,” Igor Sevastyanov said answering a question whether talks are underway to deliver Russian arms for Iran’s ground troops after sanctions against the Islamic Republic are lifted.

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that a contract between Moscow and Tehran on the delivery of Russian S-300 missile defense systems to Iran will be signed in the near future.

Last month, an Iranian defense ministry source told Sputnik that the delivery of Russian S-300 missile defense systems to Iran could pave the way for new deals between the countries in the military-technical sphere.