Russia denies knowledge of Middle East missile supplies

Russia denies knowledge of Middle East missile supplies (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - October 7, 2008: The Russian arms export monopoly has no information about reported Russian surface-to-air missile deliveries to the Middle East, Rosoboronexport said on Monday.

Russian mobile surface-to-air missile systems

"The company has no knowledge about plans to deliver Russian SAM S-300 missile systems to Syria and Iran," a company spokesman said. Reports of the alleged supplies came as Israeli Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was set to discuss bilateral ties with Russia and regional security, including Russian arms supplies to the Middle East, during a visit to Moscow that started on Monday. Israel's Defense Ministry has been worried by reports of Russian plans to supply guided missile systems to Iran, the Israeli media said, citing high-ranking sources in Jerusalem. Olmert will stress to Moscow that any such deal would destroy the strategic military balance in the Middle East, the Haaretz newspaper said on Sunday.