The delivery of Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran will not be affected by new UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
The United Nations Security Council approved on Wednesday a new package of economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
"Insofar as yesterday's resolution on Iran contains references to specific types of weapons, I can say that no antiaircraft systems, except man-portable air-defense missile complexes, are included in the UN Register of Conventional Arms," Andrei Nesterenko said.
The fourth round of sanctions will include tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo. They also impose an asset ban and a travel freeze on more than three dozen companies and individuals.
The ministry warned on Wednesday of retaliatory measures if new sanctions against Iran affected Russian companies or individuals and said it was especially concerned by the prospect of "extraterritorial sanctions" - sanctions imposed on companies and individuals from third countries.
A senior Russian lawmaker said in late May new sanctions against Iran would not stop Russia from fulfilling its S-300 contract.
Moscow signed a contract on supplying Iran with at least five S-300 systems in December 2005, but its implementation has so far been delayed.
The United States and Israel have called on Russia not to deliver the missiles to Iran. The West is also concerned by Russia's role in helping Iran to build its first nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the resolution left wide scope for economic cooperation with Iran, and said that Russia was particularly interested in the construction of light water nuclear reactors in the Islamic Republic.
Twelve members of the council's 15 members voted for the resolution, which was sponsored by the five permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia. Turkey and Brazil voted against the resolution, and Lebanon abstained.
MOSCOW, June 10 (RIA Novosti)
