WASHINGTON, December 6 (RIA Novosti, Arkady Orlov) - The United States has expressed concerns over Russia's plans to sell Tor-M1 missile systems to Iran and said it will discuss the deal with Moscow.
"We certainly do not feel that this is a sale that would serve the interests of us or the region," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a news briefing Monday.
"I think it is important to remember and underscore that Iran is a state sponsor of terror, they have engaged in actions that we think are hostile and unhelpful, and that we view this proposed sale in that context," he said.
Earlier, Russian Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov announced Russia was ready to supply Iran with 29 modernized Tor-M1 anti-aircraft systems.
The minister said Tor-M1 systems were 100% defensive short-range weapons.
"These systems can be used only to defend against aircraft at limited distances," Ivanov said. "They cannot strike at ground targets. They are strictly defensive systems."
