Iran to publicize new air defense system in coming days: DM

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Tuesday that Iran is set to inaugurate the production line of a long-range air-defense missile system on Aug. 22 to counter any likely air attack on the country, local satellite Press TV reported.

Vahidi described the production of the missile system as yet another achievement by Iranian defense experts, saying "the Karrar anti-aircraft defense system will be inaugurated on Aug. 22," the report said.

Also, a high-speed Bladerunner boat named as Seraj and the new generation of Zolfaghar missile-launcher have also been produced domestically and will be launched in the "Government Week" of Aug. 24 to 31, he told reporters in a press conference.

Iran is still waiting for Russia's official response to its previously signed contract on the delivery of S-300 anti-aircraft missile to the Islamic Republic, said Vahidi.

"After the endorsement of the recent U.S.- backed sanctions resolution against Iran, many individuals in Russia made various comments, but Russian officials have not clarified their position on the air defense missiles yet," he was quoted as saying.

Iran struck a deal with Russia in 2007 to buy the S-300 systems, but Russia delayed the delivery of the anti-aircraft missiles.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in the June meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy that his country will freeze the missile sales to Iran in the light of the UN sanctions, according to the Elysee Palace.

Source: Xinhua