US and Russia at odds over potential fighter sale to Iran | World Defense

US and Russia at odds over potential fighter sale to Iran

BLACKEAGLE

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US and Russia at odds over potential fighter sale to Iran
Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
06 April 2016
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Iran is reportedly interested in acquiring the Su-30 combat aircraft, although the US and Russia disagree over whether such a sale would be allowed under the terms of UNSCR 2231 and the UN arms embargo. Source: French MoD

The United States and Russia are in disagreement over the legality of a potential sale of Sukhoi Su-30 'Flanker' combat aircraft to Iran.

While the US government announced on 5 April that it would use its veto in the UN Security Council to block any such sale, the Russian government stated on the same day that no veto could be applied in this case.

Speaking at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, US under secretary of state for political affairs Thomas Shannon said, "The sale of Su-30 fighter aircraft is prohibited under UNSCR [UN Security Council Resolution] 2231 without the approval of the UN Security Council and we would block the approval of any sale of fighter aircraft under the restrictions."

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department for non-proliferation and arms control, Mikhail Ulyanov, was reported by state media to have responded that, "Such deliveries are not prohibited. They are allowed and this follows from the text of the resolution."

The dispute between Washington and Moscow stems back to reports in February that Iran was looking to receive the latest-generation Sukhoi Su-30 following official lifting of economic sanctions against the country. This proposed procurement followed Iran's agreement with the international community to limit its nuclear activities.

As with all official documents, the UNSCR 2231 that followed this agreement is open to different interpretations. That said, it seems pretty clear on the issue of arms sales to Iran.

Under the resolution, the blanket UN conventional arms ban against Iran will remain in force for five years from the Adoption Day of 18 October 2015 or until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) submits a report confirming Iran's compliance, if this occurs earlier. Without the IAEA's confirmation of compliance, Iran would therefore be prohibited from receiving the Su-30 fighters until 18 October 2020.

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US and Russia at odds over potential fighter sale to Iran | IHS Jane's 360
 

explorerx7

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This is just another talk shop. We all know what will probably happen in this case. The US is going to talk and huff and puff but Russia is probably going to supply to fighters to Iran. Russia needs to sell arms to help bolster its economy and needs to have allies too which I believe that Iran would be, and there is no way that the US could prevent Russia from selling arms to Iran if they so desire.
 

vash

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There is no way Russia will give in after all the sanctions the US and its allies imposed on them. To the Russians, the US started the mess in Ukraine and Syria, (as well as in Georgia), then turned around to accuse the Russia as the aggressor.

Russia might have cooperated if the US had been on good term with them, but it is obviously not the case... rather it is quite the opposite at this point. With the US taking down one after another "non friendly" governments and replace them with something else, it is just more reason for the Russians to strengthen the Iranian defense with all the missiles and jets.
 
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