Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanon defended Moscow's deal to supply missiles to Iran, saying they were purely defensive weapons with a limited range. "I wish to underline that these systems cannot be used in offensive operations," Ivanov told Russia Today television. "Secondly, they have a limited use as they are capable of protecting a small part of the Iranian territory."
Moscow has refused to bow to Western pressure and cancel its $700 million contract to sell 29 Tor-M1 missile systems to Iran. Russia plans on fulfilling the contract unless international sanctions against Iran made it illegal.
Russia also favors continued talks over Iran's nuclear program. Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed this to his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a telephone conversation, the Kremlin press office said. Issues pertaining to bilateral relations were also discussed during the conversation.
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