Russia has announced that in response to UN Security Council Resolution 1929, a fourth round of sanctions against Iran, it will freeze a weapons deal contract to supply Iran with the advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. The system is among the most advanced in the world and in the hands of Iran, Syria and/or Hizbullah, would significantly complicate an aerial assault against Iran’s nuclear program.

In the past, Russia has rejected Israeli requests to cancel the deal, with Jerusalem aware the rockets will undoubtedly complicate a military strike against the nuclear facilities in Iran. Russia told Israel that since the system is a defensive one and not offensive, there is no reason Moscow cannot go ahead with the lucrative deal.

The sanctions approved on Wednesday by 12 of the 15 council member nations include a number of areas, including a ban on the sale of heavy military hardware to Iran.

While this new reality is welcome news in Israel, the sanctions approved are a step in the right direction but fall short of the crippling sanctions sought by Israel in the hope of halting Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)