Russia's Defence Ministry to continue contacts with Iran

As addressing a news conference in Moscow Friday, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Mikhail Dmitriyev said Russia would continue military contacts with Iran. Mr Dmitriyev heads a government committee on military-technological cooperation with other countries.

He described as "obscure" the sanctions the United States had imposed against Russia's Tula-based arms producer. The US claims the Russian plant supplies banned weaponry to Iran. Russia only supplies authorised weaponry to Iran, insisted the deputy minister.

Russia will continue military cooperation with Iran, emphasised Mr Dmitriyev.

Russia's arms deliveries to Greece may total over $1 billion this year, said the deputy minister. The contract for the delivery of an air-cushioned landing ship is one of the most lucrative contracts, according to Mr Dmitriyev.

"Among others, Russia maintains cooperation with some of the Middle East countries. They are Russia's long-established partners, cooperation with which is developing and has never been interrupted," said the Russian deputy defence minister.