29 Mar 2024
Thursday 1 September 2016 - 10:27
Story Code : 229545

US, Saudi Arabia annoyed by Iran strengthening its borders

Despite the fact that supplying Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran does not violate any UN Security Council resolution, the US government expressed concern over the increase of Tehrans military potential caused by this development.

Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently declared that air defense systems are extremely important and "must be onthe frontline, ready torepulse any aggression launched byan enemy that seeks toundermine the countrys defense potential."

Ahmad Vakhshiteh, chief editor ofIranian analytical web portal RussiaViewer, told Sputnik that the sale of S-300 byRussia toIran is a perfectly legal deal, and that the US has no right tointerfere. He pointed outthat while several years ago the shipment ofthese weapons was put onhold due tosanctions enforced viaa UN resolution, the Iranian nuclear deal effectively helped resolve that issue.

"The US interference inthis issue is illegal. But why does the US protest so vehemently againstthese shipments? One should pay attention tothe growing Saudi influence. Ever sinceIran started purchasing these systems, the countrys aerial borders became better defended. So if some countries conflict withIran ideologically or geopolitically or if they seek todestabilize the region toensure their dominance, they dont want such an influential state asIran toimprove its military might and increase its defense capabilities," Vakhshiteh explained.

He also pointed outthat the S-300 surface-to-air missile system is a strictly defensive weapon, and that Iran has never acted aggressively or sought todestabilize the region. Therefore, Vakhshiteh argued, its small wonder that when asked why the US protests againstthe shipment ofthese weapons, Khamenei replied that "the opposing side, the US, is deceitful and opposes the independence ofour nation."

"During the nuclear negotiations Iran performed commendably: it accepted all conditions, making notable concessions. The sanctions previously imposed againstIran were annulled. And asIran honors its commitments, the West namely, the United States should also honor the commitments it made. But instead we see the exact opposite. Recently there was even talk ofimposing sanctions againstRussia forsupplying S-300 toIran," he said.

By Sputnik
https://theiranproject.com/vdcgty9xnak9xn4.5jra.html
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