LOC20:33
17:33 GMT
LONDON, Feb 23 (KUNA) -- Britain is raising concerns with Russia that it is
supplying Iran with missile systems to defend its nuclear plants, MPs heard
Monday.
British Defence Secretary John Hutton told the House of Commons that the
arming of the country in such a way would be a "very unwelcome" development.
He said the UK Government continued to talk to Russia about the issue of
supplying its ground-to-air missiles to Tehran.
It has been reported Moscow intends to sell a number of its S-300 missile
systems which could protect Iran against any Israeli strike aimed at disabling
its nuclear weapons programme.
For his part, the main opposition Conservative MP Jim Paice asked Hutton
about the reports, "in particular the stories that they may be providing them
with anti-missile missiles."
The Defence Secretary replied "We do have concerns about this suggestion
that Russian ground-to-air missiles might be provided to the Iranians,
certainly as part of trying to secure the defence of Iranian nuclear
installations".
"This would be a very unwelcome development and I can assure you we have
had discussions and continue to do so with Russia about these matters", Hutton
added. (end)
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