Iran is seeking sophisticated new air defense systems from Russia that Israeli officials say would reduce the window of a potential attack on Tehran's nuclear program, media reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the issue.
Israeli and American sources told Bloomberg News that the prospect of Tehran obtaining these S-400 systems would speed up the decision on a possible attack on Iranian nuclear sites. Russia has not said publicly whether it will supply the weapons, but Moscow and Tehran have grown closer since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It would then take less than two years for the S-400s delivered to Iran to be operational.
This Russian air defense system, which can hit air targets at a distance of up to 155 miles, would create a "red zone for high-altitude aircraft," according to experts.
“The more air defenses they have, the harder it is to hit them,” said Yossi Kuperwasser, a former senior Israeli military intelligence official, adding: "We are analyzing the most opportune time to take action."
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