OPINION:
Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani flew to Moscow — again in violation of a U.N. travel ban — to discuss with the Kremlin the situation in Syria as well as the shipment of advanced S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Iran.
The last time the general visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in person, Russia landed forces in Syria to fight alongside Iran, Hezbollah and the Syrian army to support the Assad regime. The operation was spectacularly successful and Russia now states they are pulling out troops; however, this fact has not been proved on the ground.
The main purpose of his visit was to discuss new delivery routes for shipments of Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, sources said. Several sources also said Gen. Soleimani wanted to talk about how Russia and Iran could help the Syrian government take back full control of the city of Aleppo.
“General Soleimani traveled to Moscow last night to discuss issues including the delivery of S-300s and further military cooperation,” a senior Iranian security official told Reuters.”
Iran is keen to acquire sophisticated weapons from Russia now that the Obama administration has agreed to release tens of billions of U.S. dollars as part of a “deal” struck with world powers on Iran’s nuclear weapons program. With the S-300 and other weapons systems to follow, Iran will be able to use these advanced armaments to attempt to prevent any attack on its nuclear weapons program in the future.
Iran continues to test ballistic missile delivery systems — which can be used to deliver nuclear warheads — threatening Europe, Israel, and even the United States mainland. The Islamic republic also is interested in licensing Russian T-90 tank technology as well as acquiring from Moscow advanced military aircraft. Russia is also providing technology and assisting in rebuilding Iran’s nuclear power capability.
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