Why does Iran need new advanced air defense systems if it has has suspended its nuclear weapons program?

Question

"Recently Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar said Iran had contracted for the purchase of Russia's state-of-the-art S-300 air defense system."

See:
http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=283737476837642

"The S-300 is a much more powerful and versatile weapon than the Tor-M1 missile systems that Moscow supplied earlier this year and which are capable of hitting airborne targets at altitudes up to 20,000 feet. The S-300 is capable of downing aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at a distance up to 95 miles and at altitudes up to 90,000 feet."

Answer 1

Because they are a backward country of ruthless, fundamentalist liars that will stop at NOTHING to destroy anyone that does not submit to their way of thinking. Their primary mission in this life is to bring on world war IV and destroy Israel in the process. I realize that the loss of millions of innocent lives would be a horror but honestly, the entire world would be safer and better off if Iran were completely wiped from the face of the earth.

Answer 2

Iran has numerous "nuclear" facilities. While there is not a tremendous amount of evidence at this point, one must look at Iran's standing in the world. The are a terrorist regime. They support terrorism in fighting US troops in Iraq, they continuously call for the elimination of Israel. They also play games with the United Nations. These are not evidence of nuclear weapons, but merely reasons why they should not be allowed to acquire them.

Answer 3

...a suspension of a program is not the elimination of a program. They still have it. They may not actively be involved in it, but considering what we know, it would be pointless for them to. N Korea will have already told them what level of enrichment they need the uranium to be, so until they have what they need, there is no point for them to continue the program. In the mean time, they will use the time to secure their own defenses. It's the smart thing to do.

Meanwhile, back in the States, the media and politicians are playing up the anti-Bush positions which will enable Iran to look like an innocent victem.

Bush made a valid point that nobody followed up on. They uncovered the nuclear weapons program, Iran did not declare it had one.

There is a group (although listed on the terrorist group listing) claiming that Iran had stopped it, relocated it and resumed. Yahoo had an article on it several weeks ago.

Answer 4

Because every racist, hate-filled, terrorist manufacturing, hostile country is entitled to protect itself from western ideologies, such as you will traditionally find in Israel and has now begun to fester in Iraq.

It is THOSE ideas that the Iranians are looking to shoot down.

The people are just collateral. No worries.....

Answer 5

I think if nuclear war ever happens, it will be pretty messy, for everyone. So the point is that everyone will die, which is pretty pointless if you think about it, so the best strategic way to win a battle is traditional swords and smoke.

Answer 6

They want to be a powerful regional power in the Persian Gulf.

Answer 7

It is only prudent for any nation who feels threatened to try to bolster its defenses. Iran does feel threatened by the US and Allies due them (Iran) being complete Retards.

Answer 8

Isn't that interesting

Answer 9

hmmm, what are they protecting? we know they don't care about their people.

Answer 10

Why does the US need such a collossal army if you have nuclear weapons?