Israeli mass media: Belarus to sell Iskanders to Iran and Syria

• 4.05.2009, 15:39

It is reported that talks on the Iskander-M sale to Tehran have gone through.

It is informed by DEBKA analytical website which covers issues of military policy in the Middle East. According to sources in the Kremlin, negotiations are ongoing for Iran and Syria for another transaction: the sale of Russia's advanced S-300 anti-air anti-missile multi-targeting shield systems as well with Belarus as a front.

DEBKA also quotes A. Lukashenka’s words during the reception of a high delegation from Iran on April 30 in Minsk. The Belarusian leader stated that he is set to develop trade and economic relations with this country more actively and to implement top-level agreements with the government of Tehran.

Lukashenka didn’t specify what projects he meant, but sources in Moscow confirmed that he spoke about Iskander-M. Part of the consignment was to be redirected from Syria to Iran. This transaction was put on ice under pressure from the United States and Israel. Now, DEBKA informs, the two sales are going through via Belarus in the reverse direction: Iran will take delivery of the consignments and divert a part to Syria.

Soon the Russian news agency RIA “Novosti” which has a good rapport with Kremlin officials reported: "The swiftness of relation-building between the two states (Belarus and Iran) is an indication that President Lukashenko is selling the short-range missiles to Iran.”

The disclosures came shortly after Iranian defense minister Mustafa Najjar visited Moscow to press the Russians for action on the Iskander sale to Tehran.

In 2005 Moscow signed an agreement with Damascus concerning sales of Iskander and S-30 systems to Syria.