RUSSIA SELLING IRAN NUKE FUEL, SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS, DEFENSE SYSTEM

Iran Gets Second Russian Nuclear Fuel Shipment - Ali Akbar Dareini
Iran received the second of eight shipments of nuclear fuel from Russia on Friday for the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported. Iran agreed to return spent nuclear fuel from the reactor back to Russia to ensure it doesn't extract plutonium to make atomic bombs. (AP)

Russia Selling Iran Sophisticated New Air Defense System
Russia is selling Iran its new S-300 air defense system, signaling growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said Wednesday. Earlier this year, Russia delivered 29 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran under a $700 million contract signed in December 2005. A Russian source said the new contract envisaged delivery of several dozen S-300 missile systems. The S-300 is much more powerful and versatile than the Tor-M1. It is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of up to 95 miles and at altitudes of up to 90,000 feet. Russian military officials boast that it excels the U.S.-built Patriot missiles. (AP/FOX News)

See also Iran Plans to Buy Russian Copters, Fighter Engines
Moscow and Tehran are in negotiations for the sale of fighter jet engines and helicopters to Iran, the Kommersant daily reported on Dec. 24. Iran wants to buy RD-33 engines for a fleet of new Iranian fighter jets, as well as an upgraded version of the Ka-32 helicopter that Tehran wants to be assembled in Iran. (AFP/Defense News)