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Russia Rejected Iran S-400 Missile Request Amid Gulf Tension

  • Iran and Russia have both backed Syrian President Assad
  • Tensions in Gulf rose after ship attacks were blamed on Iran
Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, listens during the International Arctic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, listens during the International Arctic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
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Russia has rejected an Iranian request to buy S-400 missile defense systems, concerned that the sale would stoke more tension in the Middle East, according to two people with knowledge of the matter, including a senior Russian official.

The request was rebuffed by President Vladimir Putin, the people said on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to discuss the matter. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Moscow May 7.