WEAPONS SALE TO IRAN SEEN BACKFIRING. Even as President
Vladimir Putin was arranging to sell more weapons to
visiting Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, Russian
commentators were suggesting that these weapons sales may
backfire by offending the United States and Israel and even
creating direct risks to Russian national security. An
article in "Izvestiya" noted that those who are promoting
cooperating with Iran do not appear to realize that they are
creating political problems for the country, not only
because of American opposition but also because many in Iran
want to work against Russia as well.
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