Will Iran Ever Get Its Russian Super Missile?

(Nov. 19) -- With negotiations over Iran's nuclear program stalled and the United States pushing for a new round of sanctions, officials in Tehran are anxiously awaiting delivery of state-of-the-art Russian air defense missiles that could be used to protect the country's nuclear sites.

At issue is the S-300, an advanced Russian-built air defense system, which, if acquired by Iran, would potentially make it harder for the United States or Israel to conduct air strikes against the country.

Both Iran and Russia have spent the last few weeks posturing over the S-300 sale, but now an Iranian official says there is another delay. "We hope that Russian friends will fulfill commitments according to the contract," Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said this week, according to an Iranian news agency. "Of course, there is a delay in delivery of the systems. They have announced some technical problems as the reason for the delay."

Yuri Kadobnov, AFP / Getty Images

Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on parade in Moscow. Iran is impatient for a long-promised delivery.

The back and forth over the S-300 has gone on for several years, with Russia at times confirming and then denying that it was thinking of supplying the system to Iran. Back in May, Iran even threatened to turn to China for air-defense missiles if Russia wouldn't provide them, and now Iranian officials claim they could build their own version of the S-300.

Over the past several weeks, however, Iran has ratcheted up pressure on Russia to deliver the missiles. Russian officials, for their part, say the sale is still under consideration.

Iran and Russia have a strange relationship when it comes to military and civil aerospace deals. Russia lofted one of Iran's satellites into orbit, but when asked earlier this year whether it would launch another satellite for Tehran, a top Russian space official openly mocked the Iranians for being disorganized.

But the S-300 has been a particularly sensitive issue for all sides. In July, the mysterious hijacking of the Arctic Sea cargo ship fueled speculation that the ship was really carrying S-300s for Iran. Russia has repeatedly denied those claims.

Russia's state arms export agency is already under U.S. sanctions for its alleged arms sales to rogue states. If Russia ends up delivering the S-300 to Iran, it will place the Obama administration, which has been pursuing a policy to "reset" relations with the Kremlin, in a difficult position.