Sec. 2. Findings
251 words·~1 min read·
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Congress finds the following: The S–300 surface-to-air missile defense system, which has a range of 120 miles and can engage aircraft or short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, provides enhanced capabilities to Iran. Such a system would significantly bolster Iranian military capabilities and introduce new obstacles to the ability of the United States to eliminate the threat of an Iranian nuclear weapon. Iran received an S–300 surface-to-air missile defense system from the Russian Federation as part of an arms deal that was revived after Iran agreed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran.
Russian officials have said they plan to deliver four such systems to Iran by the end of 2016. The delivery is part of an $800,000,000 contract signed in 2007, under which Russia was to provide Iran with five such systems. Russia suspended the deliveries of such systems in 2010. On April 18, 2016, Department of State spokesperson John Kirby stated during a State Department briefing, We have made clear in the past our objections to any sale of the S–300 missile system to Iran. .
On June 8, 2016, the administration stated, in response to an inquiry by Representative Steve Chabot about the sale, that it has strongly urged the Government of Russia not to proceed with the sale of such systems to Iran, and that such a sale would add to tensions in the region and be clearly inconsistent with the goals of non-proliferation.