US concerned by Russian sale of air defense systems to Iran

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071227/wl_afp/iranrussiamilitarydefenceus

The White House expressed concern Wednesday over Iran's announcement that Russia would supply S-300 air missile defense systems to the Islamic republic.

"We have ongoing concerns about the prospective sale of such weapons to Iran and other countries of concern," Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman, said from Crawford, Texas, where President George W. Bush was spending the yearend holiday on his ranch.

Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced Wednesday that Russia would deliver the system, but said the date for the delivery would be unveiled later. Moscow has not confirmed the sale.

(snip)
The United States had urged Russia to cancel that sale, saying it was a mistake when the UN Security Council had imposed sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile industry as part of measures against its nuclear drive.

[ixion]

1. yeah, it really cramps our style, because we only like to attack countries that have no such defense

and maim and kill and slaughter with great glee. :(

[Thothmes]

3. Baghdad was defended by Soviet AA missile batteries. So was Hanoi

didn't seem to stop us then, probably wouldn't stop us now.

[ixion]

4. There is a major difference

Iran actually has armaments that work, and they are capable of defending themselves, whereas Iraq/Afghanistan were not.

[Thothmes]

5. difference

What difference does that make. Hanoi was the most heavily defended city in the world. We were able to bomb it at will. Yes we lost aircraft and air crews, but that was the price the U.S. was willing to pay. If the current regime decides to start a bombing campaign against the Iranians, we will again lose aircraft and air crews maybe lots of them, but I will bet that the U.S. forces will inflict tremendous damage on that country. Just my opinion.

[AdHocSolver]

2. U.S. missile manufacturers lose missile sale to Russians...claim unfair competition. n/t