Iran receives first part of missile defense system from Russia, official says

FILE - In this undated file photo a Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system is on display in an undisclosed location in Russia. (AP)

Iran received the first delivery of a previously-forbidden advanced missile defense system from Russia this week, in the wake of global approval of the country’s nuclear deal, an Iranian government spokesman revealed Monday.

“I announce today that the first phase of this [delayed] contract has been implemented,” Iran foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said during a news conference broadcast on state television.

First utilized during the Cold War in 1979, the S-300 system is able to engage multiple aircraft and missiles from 90 miles away, according to the British security think tank RUSI.

Israel expressed concern over the delivery, Reuters adds. Iran has repeatedly threatened to destroy the U.S. ally.

Russia originally signed a contract to equip Tehran with S-300 surface-to-air defense systems in 2010 but canceled the agreement and imposed its own ban on the shipments after pressure from western nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on shipments in early 2015, as an interim agreement before the global nuclear deal was finalized.