Here’s Why Russia Selling S-300 Advanced Missile Systems to Iran is Such a Big Deal

Russia has publicly announced that it is willing to sell Iran one of the world's most advanced air defense systems. And that poses the potential of radically altering the balance of power in the Middle East.

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If the deal goes through and Moscow does indeed follow through on the sale of S-300 air defense systems to Tehran, Iran could both harass and disrupt aerial traffic beyond its borders while protecting its nuclear sites from preemptive attacks, Patrick Megahan and Behnam Ben Taleblu note for The Hill.

There are multiple variants of the S-300, and there is no guarantee as of yet what model Moscow would be willing to sell to Tehran. Russia had previously agreed to sell Iran the S-300 PMU1 system in 2007. This model of launcher has a range of about 93 miles, can fire at multiple targets, and can down aircraft flying as high as 90,000 feet. Additionally, the satellites associated with the S-300 can track aerial targets up to 150 miles away.

This range and capability could allow Iran to position the S-300s in such a way as to project its aerial power far beyond its own borders.

“Should an S-300 battery be placed on Iran’s southern coast, Tehran could quickly detect American or allied aircraft taking off from local bases,” The Hill notes. “Not only would most modern strike aircraft be vulnerable to detection and engagement far before reaching Iranian shores, the S-300 would allow Iran offensive capacities beyond its airspace, which could include harassing non-hostile aircraft flying over neighboring countries.”

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