Russia lifted its ban on selling missiles to Iran on April 13. This is a result of the impending Iran nuclear agreement, as well as a way for Russia to strike at America.

The recent sale is for a mobile S-300 surface-to-air missile installation designed to detect and destroy ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. In 2007, Russia negotiated an $800 million deal to sell the missile system to Iran; however, after the United States and Israel raised concerns that the system could affect nuclear negotiations with Iran, Russia canceled the sale. Now that the Obama administration seems satisfied that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, America’s previous objections lack weight.

In an attempt to dispel Israel’s concerns, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, “I note that the S-300 air-defense missile system, which is exclusively of a defensive nature, is not suited for the purposes of attack and doesn’t threaten the security of any governments in the region, including, of course, Israel.” This is strange logic considering Russia’s opposition to the transfer of U.S. missile defense technology to Romania and Poland because Russia believed it would threaten Russia’s security. Russia even said giving the technology to Romania and Poland could trigger a new Cold War-style arms race.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said the Russian sale to Iran is “proof that the economic momentum that will come for Iran after lifting sanctions will be exploited for an arms buildup and not for the welfare of the people of Iran.”

Since the onset of Western sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been seeking to build economic relationships with U.S. enemies. Expect that trend to continue. Russia’s displeasure with and Iran’s animosity toward the West make a dangerous combination, especially if the two continue to cultivate a meaningful relationship.

The Trumpet has long warned of a growing relationship between Russia and Iran based on anti-Americanism. Ten years ago we wrote, “Driving Moscow’s aspirations for relations with Tehran is Russia’s (and Iran’s) quest to marginalize, if not eradicate, American influence from their respective regions. … The fact is, anti-Americanism is a defining ideology underlying Russian-Iranian relations.”

To learn more about this emerging relationship, read “Iran: Russia’s Trump Card.”