Larijani: Sanctions do not ban Russian to deliver S-300 missiles

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the contract for delivery of the powerful S-300 air defense missiles to Iran was concluded before the U.N. Security Council approved new sanctions last month, ILNA reported.

"The contract for Russian S-300 missiles was concluded before last U.N. Security Council (resolution). It is an old contract, therefore it has nothing to do with the ... (new) resolution. Moreover, it is a defensive weapon," Larijani told reporters on a visit to Damascus.

Speaking to reporters in Damascus on Thursday, Larijani denied any tension between Iran and Russia but added there were some "fluctuations" in Russia's position toward Iran.

Russia supported a fourth round of U.N. sanctions imposed against Iran's nuclear program, but Russia criticized additional U.S. and EU sanctions against Iran
Larijani said at the news conference in Damascus Thursday that the new U.N. sanctions would affect his country "very little."
He also said the U.S. would not attack Iran because of its bitter experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The U.S. language of arrogance has come to an end. It has cost the Americans a lot," Larijani said.