Russia Reportedly Strikes Fighter-Jet Deal With Iran

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Jul 30, 2007 4:19 PM CDT
Russia Reportedly Strikes Fighter-Jet Deal With Iran
Air Force crew members of a Russian made Sukhoi Su-30 MK 2 jet participate in an air show at the inauguration ceremony of the elite Simon Bolivar Air Force squadron in Barcelona, Venezuela, Friday, May 25, 2007. 250 jets like these will be sold to Iran as part of the unprecedented billion dollar deal,...   (Associated Press)

Israel is investigating reports that Russia will supply Iran with $1 billion in long-range fighter jets and aerial fuel tankers, the Jerusalem Post says. Israeli officials say the pact could be a partial response to a billion-dollar US arms deal with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

Teheran's purchase of 250 Sukhoi-30 warplanes and refueling tanks would give it unprecedented long-range offensive capabilities, posing an increased threat to Israel. Russia signed an arms deal with Iran last year, despite US-Israeli protests, but the weapons were considered defensive—designed to protect Iran's nuclear installations. (More Iran stories.)

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