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Russia, Iran Sign Agreement on Weapons Supplies, Find Common Ground in Opposition to Taliban
Tuesday, October 02, 2001
(1:30 PM ET)
By Judith Ingram / The Associated Press

Tehran is especially interested in acquiring long-range S-300 air defense missiles to protect the Bushehr nuclear power plant and other strategic facilities, medium-range Buk M1 and Tor M1 air defense missiles, and Su-27 fighter jets.

MOSCOW -- AP
Russia and Iran signed a framework agreement on new weapons deliveries Tuesday, burying a six-year-old secret deal between Washington and Moscow to deny arms supplies to Tehran.

The defense ministers of the two nations also expressed solidarity in supporting Afghanistan's opposition northern alliance, which is fighting the ruling Taliban militia.

Both nations insist, however, on United Nations approval for any military retaliation for the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States. Afghanistan, where suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden is based, is expected to be a target.

"If this were within the framework of the international community and in the framework of the United Nations, then, of course, we would support such action," Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.
(More: New Jersey Online News Source)
Copyright 2001 Associated Press.

I seem to recall Iran collecting a number of fighter craft form Iraq about 10 years ago...

Dan