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S-300
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S-300

Russian long-range surface-to-air missile family; Iran's S-300PMU-2 batteries arrived from Russia in 2016.

The S-300, the Russian air-defence family Moscow sold Iran in 2007 and delivered only in 2016, framed a Western official's claim on 9 October 2026 that Russia was again sending Tehran missiles, an assessment The White House rejected.

Last refreshed: 18 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Will Russia rearm Iran's air defences, as it once did with the S-300?

Timeline for S-300

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Background

The S-300 is a Soviet-designed family of long-range surface-to-air missile systems, in service since 1978 and produced by Almaz-Antey companies. Iran operates the S-300PMU-2 variant, whose 48N6E2 missile reaches about 195 km.

Iran's purchase took nine years. It paid about $900 million in 2007 for six systems. In 2010 Russia halted delivery to comply with a UN Security Council sanctions resolution, and Iran sued Russia's arms exporter for $4 billion. Putin lifted the ban on 13 April 2015, after the nuclear deal, and four S-300PMU-2 batteries arrived in 2016. Israel's strikes of April and October 2024 are credited with disabling them. That history shaped the October 2026 dispute: a Western official told Bloomberg on 9 October that Moscow was sending Tehran missiles, giving no type, number or route, and Trump said on 13 October he did not believe Russia was helping Iran.

Between 1 and 15 March 2026 Ukraine struck more than 20 Russian air-defence systems, S-300s among them, across Crimea, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian drones also hit the Granit Plant in Sevastopol, which repairs S-300PM2 systems.

Common Questions
What is the S-300 missile system and who has it?
The S-300 is a Russian long-range surface-to-air missile system. Iran received the S-300PMU-2 variant in 2016. Other operators include Russia, China, Syria, Belarus, and several NATO members who inherited Soviet stocks.
Why did Russia supply S-300 to Iran?
Russia lifted a self-imposed arms embargo after the 2015 JCPOA reduced international pressure on Iran; Moscow argued S-300 is a defensive weapon and used the sale to restore commercial and strategic ties with Tehran.
Can the S-300 stop cruise missiles?
The S-300 is less effective against low-flying Cruise Missiles than against ballistic missiles or aircraft; it was not designed for close-in defence against sea-skimming or terrain-following Cruise Missiles.
When did Iran get the S-300?
Iran signed for the S-300 in 2007, Russia froze the deal in 2010 under UN sanctions, Putin lifted the ban in April 2015, and four S-300PMU-2 batteries arrived in 2016.Source: Meduza; Wikipedia
Why did Russia stop the S-300 sale to Iran in 2010?
Russia halted delivery to comply with the June 2010 UN Security Council sanctions resolution, which limited arms sales to Iran including surface-to-air missiles.Source: Meduza
What is the range of Iran's S-300?
Iran's S-300PMU-2 variant uses the 48N6E2 missile, with a range of about 195 km.Source: Wikipedia
Is Russia supplying Iran with missiles?
One Western official told Bloomberg on 9 October 2026 that Russia was providing Iran with missiles. The White House rejected the assessment, and Trump said he did not believe Russia was helping Iran.Source: Bloomberg via Lowdown
Source Material
Putin lifts the ban on sending anti-aircraft missile system to IranS-300 missile systemS-300 Missile System

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 18 October 2026. Editorial standards.