MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Iran is hopeful of amicable settlement of its dispute with Russia over the delivery of S-300 air defense missile systems, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said.
"The Iranian side has never wished to bring this matter to court… Moreover, the Iranian side has taken steps towards slowing down the arbitration hearing. We are waiting for a Russian decision," Sanaei said in an interview published by Kommersant on Monday.
Iran thinks that the S-300 contract is legitimate and in harmony with UN Security Council resolutions, the ambassador added.
"First of all, this is a defensive system; secondly, resolution 1929 [with which Russia validated the revocation of the deal] was adopted after Moscow and Tehran had signed that contract. Anyway, our military think that S-300 suits Iranian defensive needs best. They also think that the delivery contract with Russia stays in effect. They are waiting for S-300," the Iranian ambassador emphasized.
He noted though that the Iranian claim against Rosoboronexport would be withdrawn from the Geneva Arbitration Court only in the case of the fulfillment of the contract.