As Clear as Russian Vodka

For such a short article in the Jerusalem Post, Russia defends missile sale to Iran, has so much to it:

The Russian defense minister on Wednesday defended Moscow's deal to supply air defense missiles to Iran, saying they were purely defensive weapons with a limited range.

"I wish to underline that these systems cannot be used in offensive operations," Sergei Ivanov told Russia Today television in an interview broadcast early Wednesday.

It's one of those comments that might come back to haunt Ivanov. Assuming Ivanov has integrity.

"Secondly, they have a limited use as they are capable of protecting a small part of the Iranian territory."

Like maybe Lebanon?

Moscow has refused to bow to Western pressure and cancel its US $700 million contract to sell 29 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran which was signed last December.

December. In the middle of negotiations. Talk about voluntarily walking into a position of conflict of interest. Assuming the Russians have integrity.

A Russian Defense Ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said that Moscow would fulfill the contract unless international sanctions against Iran make it illegal.

Or if sanctions are vetoed by Russians. Amusing.

UN Security Council members are deliberating on a draft European resolution that would impose sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear program. Russia and China, both veto-wielding Security Council members with strong commercial ties to Teheran, have consistently been reluctant to support sanctions.

Anyone still not sure whose band they are playing in?