Israel asks Russia to cancel plan to provide Syria with advanced S-300 antiaircraft missiles

JERUSALEM – Israeli security officials say they have asked Russia to cancel the imminent sale of an advanced air defense system to Syria.

The officials said Israel shared information with the United States in hopes of persuading Russia to halt the planned deal to provide S-300 antiaircraft missiles. Disclosing the deal, the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

There was no immediate comment from Russia or Israel's Defense Ministry.

There have been conflicting reports about whether Syria has already acquired the state-of-the-art missiles. Their presence could complicate future Israeli military intervention there.

Israel aircraft evaded Syrian air defenses twice in the past week to strike weapons said to be headed to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israel has not officially acknowledged the attacks.