Iran may sue Russia over S-300 missile deal row

TEHRAN - A top Iranian lawmaker has said the country would sue Russia for the S-300 missile deal if Russia fails to deliver the system to Iran, a media report said.

“The issue can be pursued legally if Russia does not provide Iran with missile system and in such a case compensation should be paid to Iran,” Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Sunday.

“We hope that Russia complies with its commitments as it did in case of Bushehr nuclear plant to secure its reputation in the region and the world,” Boroujerdi was quoted as saying by ISNA (Iranian Students’ News Agency).

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree Wednesday, officially prohibiting the shipment of S-300 air defence missile systems, armoured vehicles, warplanes and helicopters and warships to Iran in line with UN sanctions imposed against Iran following Iran’s refusal to halt its nuclear programme.