Iran backtracks on Russian fighter purchase reports: news agencies

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Defense Ministry said it plans to modernize the air force fleet but denied reports earlier on Saturday that it wanted to buy Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter planes, news agencies reported.

Several agencies quoted Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan as saying "the purchase of this fighter is on the agenda of the Defense Ministry" when asked about the Sukhoi aircraft, but some later said the ministry had called the reports "incorrect."

The ministry's website quoted Dehghan as saying only that "reinforcing and providing the needs of the air force are among the priorities of the Defense Ministry," without referring to any specific purchase plans.

Earlier this year, Dehghan said Tehran and Moscow had started talks on the supply of the Sukhoi fighters to Iran.

A deal would need the approval of the United Nations Security Council and could further strain Moscow's relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

In August, Tehran allowed Russian planes to use a base in Western Iran in their strikes in support of the Syrian government which Moscow and Tehran both support. The unprecedented deployment was criticized by the United States and some Iranian lawmakers.

Asked about any plans to let the Russian air force use the base, Dehghan said: "If necessary, Iran will once again allow Russian jets to fly from Hamedan's Nojeh air base," Tasnim news agency reported.

Dehghan decline to comment on a Russian report that Russia and Iran were in talks over arms deals worth $10 billion.

"On this matter, you'll have to ask the Russians," said Dehghan, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.

(Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Helen Popper)

You May Also Be Interested In

• Nigerian court adjourns Binance and executives' tax evasion trial to May 17
• China moves to boost foreign investment in domestic tech companies
• Shipping industry urges UN to protect vessels after Iran seizure