国际英语新闻：Russia bans arms supplies to Iran

MOSCOW, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on Wednesday, officially prohibiting shipment of military equipment to Iran, said the Kremlin website.

The decree banned supplies of S-300 air defense missile systems, armored vehicles, warplanes and helicopters, warships in line with the UN Security Council resolution No.1929.

The decree also banned the transit of military equipment to Iran via Russian territory or air space.

Russian Chief of General Staff earlier Wednesday confirmed that Moscow has scrapped plans to sell S-300s to Iran as they fall under the UN sanctions.

The S-300 air defense system is an advanced mobile system that can shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles from up to 150 km away.

Iran struck a deal with Russia to buy S-300 missile systems in 2007, but Russia has delayed the delivery of the missiles. The United States and Israel oppose the sale of the missiles to Iran.

Russian officials repeatedly said that it was up to Medvedev to decide what weapons may fall under the new sanctions imposed on Tehran by the UN Security Council.