Head of Russian Military Forecasting Center Anatoli Tesiganouk told the news agency Ria-Novatsi that the cooperation may take the form of delivery of defensive weapons as long as they do not contravene international agreements and conventions on exports of military armaments. Iran has entered into a contract to purchase 29 TOR M1 mobile surface-to-air missile defence systems from Russia worth more than USD 700 million (EUR 600 million). The TOR-M1 is a mobile system designed for operation at medium- and low-altitude levels against aircraft and guided missiles. Each unit consists of a vehicle armed with eight missiles and a radar that can track 48 targets and engage two simultaneously. He added the issue of selling surface-to-air missile system were in line with providing security for Bushehr nuclear powerplant. The missiles are short to medium-range and are designed for defensive purposes and the negotiations with Iran focused on such defensive systems, he said. He said that Iran will station the system in its important locations. "Moscow regards Iran as a powerful country with which one should cooperate," the Russian official said. In related news, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov defended here in December the signing of an agreement to sell surface-to-air missile systems to Iran. "The agreement conforms to all international agreements and commitments legally binding on Moscow," said Ivanov, who was speaking to reporters in Moscow. He also said that the delivery of the systems will not disturb the military balance of power in the region. He said that missile systems are strictly defensive and do not have any offensive capabilities. Besides, he said, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman had already announced that all military agreements entered into by the country, including accords signed with Iran, conform to all of Russia's international commitments aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. PIN/IRNA