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Tel Aviv : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to press Russia, during a visit that began on Monday, not to sell advanced missiles and weapons technology to Iran and Syria.
Addressing his cabinet on the eve of the two-day trip, Olmert said he would discuss issues of "special, immediate concern" including the supply of weapons to "irresponsible elements".
Olmert, caretaker Prime Minister until a new government is formed following his resignation last month in a corruption scandal, meets Russian President Dmitry Med-vedev today after meeting Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday.
Israeli defence sources, revising earlier statements that a deal between Moscow and Tehran was imminent, said on Sunday Iran had not received Russia's advanced S-300 anti-aircraft system yet though the countries were still discussing a purchase.
The S-300 would help Iran fend off any Israeli or US air strike against its nuclear facilities. Analysts believe a purchase of the system by the Iranians could accelerate the countdown to military action designed to deny them the bomb.
Vague response
Russia has denied intending to sell Iran the S-300, the best version of which can track 100 targets and fire on planes 120 km away.
Asked whether Iran had bought the missiles, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi gave a vague response yesterday in comments translated by Iran's English-language Press TV.
"Iran's defensive might is based on our indigenous capabilities and whatever action which helps with expanding and strengthening our military and defensive might, we'll look into that," Qashqavi said.
"We have good defence cooperation with the Russians. One example would be anti-aircraft systems. We have had good cooperation and we continue to cooperate with them."
In his comments at Sunday's cabinet meeting, Olmert said his first ever face-to-face talks with Medvedev would focus on the "security, military, diplomatic and international agenda between us and Russia".
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