Alexei Pushkov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, attends a news conference in Moscow, March 27, 2012. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Russia Could Boost Iran Arms Sales If U.S. Strikes Syria: Putin Ally -- Reuters
(Reuters) - A senior lawmaker and ally of President Vladimir Putin suggested on Wednesday that Russia could increase arms sales to Iran or review cooperation over Afghanistan if the United States launches military strikes against Syria.
Russia is a long-standing ally of Iran, Syria's main backer and the United States' chief antagonist in the Middle East. Moscow built Iran's first nuclear power station and has supplied it with anti-aircraft defenses.
The remarks by Alexei Pushkov, head of the lower house of parliament's foreign affairs committee, appeared to be part of a drive to convince Washington to refrain from attacking Syria in retaliation for a poison gas attack in Damascus that killed hundreds of civilians.
Pushkov echoed Putin by saying Russia's initiative to have its ally Syria give up all its chemical weapons would succeed only if Washington and its allies rejected the use of force.
Read more ....
Update #1: Russia could up arms sales to Iran if U.S. strikes Syria, Kremlin-linked lawmaker says -- CBS/AP
Update #2: Russia 'to renew offer to supply S-300s to Iran' -- AFP
My Comment: More threats from Russia .... and I do expect Russia to boost arm sales to Iran regardless of what President Obama does.
Update #3: Just days after seemingly halting America’s strike on Syria, Putin vows to arm Iran with missile system -- Daily Mail