The due time for the delivery of S-300 missile defense systems to Iran is yet to come, the Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) � The decision to�supply Iran with�S-300 missile defense systems has already been made, but�it is still too early to�deliver the systems, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Yevgeny Lukyanov said Tuesday.

"The decision on�sending the S-300 [missile defense systems] to�Iran has been made, but�the implementation of�this project requires some time. As far as�I understand the time of�the delivery has not come yet," Lukyanov told journalists.

Russia�s deal with�Iran to�deliver five S-300 systems dates to�2007. It was halted after�the UN Security Council slapped Tehran with�an arms embargo over�its controversial nuclear energy program.

In April 2015, Iran was able to�take the edge off�the nuclear row after�it agreed on�a framework accord to�dismantle parts of�its nuclear infrastructure in�exchange for�the easing of�sanctions.

The final agreement between�Tehran and six world powers, due by�the end of�June, is expected to�open the way for�Russian arms deliveries. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on�the sale of�S-300s to�the Islamic republic.

Russia�s decision has been heavily criticized by�Israel amid�concerns that the shipments could increase tensions in�the region, although its key ally US President Barack Obama said he was surprised the deal was suspended for�so long, given that the defensive S-300s were not covered by�the UN embargo.

By Sputnik