A senior Iranian official says Russia will deliver the sophisticated S-300 air missile defense system to Iran, despite US opposition.

"Russia will provide Iran with the S-300 missile system under a deal signed between the two countries," Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said Wednesday.

"The exact date of the delivery will be announced later," Mohammad-Najjar added.

The S-300 is a long range surface-to-air missile system that was developed as a defense system against aircraft and cruise missiles for the Soviet military.

Some types of the S-300 can intercept ballistic missiles.

Russia has previously delivered the Tor M1 short-range air defense missile system to Iran.

MJ/AA/RE