US Department of State: supply of S-300 to Iran is unlikely to be violation of UN sanctions

The possible supply of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran will not be a violation of UN Security Council sanctions against the Islamic Republic, but the US is concerned about these developments in connection with Iran's actions in the region, US State Department spokesman Marie Harf said, commenting on reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to lift the ban on the supply of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran.

Asked whether sales would violate the UN Security Council sanctions, she replied that "it is my understanding that it would not."Nevertheless, the United States doesn't believe that "it's constructive at this time for Russia to move forward with it," Harf said, adding that US Secretary of State John Kerry raised his concerns about it with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in an early morning phone call.The US diplomat explained that US concerns about possible supplies of Russian S-300 are caused by "the destabilizing actions of Iran in the region, in places like Yemen," TASS reports.

Asked whether sales would violate the UN Security Council sanctions, she replied that "it is my understanding that it would not."

Nevertheless, the United States doesn't believe that "it's constructive at this time for Russia to move forward with it," Harf said, adding that US Secretary of State John Kerry raised his concerns about it with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in an early morning phone call.

The US diplomat explained that US concerns about possible supplies of Russian S-300 are caused by "the destabilizing actions of Iran in the region, in places like Yemen," TASS reports.