Iran on Sunday paraded what it claimed were parts of its newly received Russian-made S-300 air defense system, after months of speculation over whether Moscow would deliver the advanced weapon.
Several trucks loaded with what Iran said were parts of the system, including vehicles and missile housing, were paraded through Tehran during an event to mark the country’s annual Army Day, days after an Iranian official said Russia had begun to carry out its part of the deal following years of start-and-stop negotiations.
Photos of parts of the S-300 showcased at the parade were published on Iranian news sites and posted on social media.
According to the semi-official Fars News, the parts did not include the missiles themselves.
Speaking at the parade at Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s mausoleum, President Hassan Rouhani touted the Iranian army’s capability as the reason why “arrogant regional powers” couldn’t turn their “greedy and malicious” eyes to Iran, Mehr news reported.