WASHINGTON
The Pentagon on Tuesday warned Iran of possible U.S. military action because of Tehran’s deal for missile defense systems from Russia.
“We've long expressed our concerns of reports on the possible sale of this missile system to the Iranians,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters. “We don't see this as a positive development. At the same time, here at the Defense Department, again, the president will have options available to him, even if that system is put into place.”
When pressed, Cook specified that the respective options included “military options”.
Russian state run news agency Ria Novosty cited a Foreign Ministry official who wrote last week that Moscow would deliver four S-300 long range missile defense systems to Iran.
The Iranian Defense Ministry also said it would obtain updated versions of the systems.
Russia and Iran signed an agreement on missile systems in 2007 but when the U.N. placed an arm embargo on Iran in 2010 for its nuclear program, Moscow unilaterally suspended the agreement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in April that he had lifted the hold on the delivery of the defense systems.
The S-300 missile systems are considered one of the most effective air defense systems but Cook said the U.S. military is confident about its ability to defeat the systems.
