The Russian Defense Ministry denied the reports by some US media on Belarus' plan to re-export Russian-built S-300 air defense systems to Iran, Russian media reported on Monday.

"The information published in certain US media alleging that the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems which Russia supplies to Belarus will be re-exported to Iran in the future does not correspond to reality," Russian Defense Ministry's information and public relations department said in a statement published on Monday.

"The anti-aircraft systems are sent to Belarus within the framework of the Joint Air Defense Group of the Union State, and, in accordance with the agreements, cannot be transferred to third states," the ministry said.

Russia had started sending S-300 aircraft missiles to Belarus, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Army General Vladimir Mikhailov said earlier this month.

The S-300 systems, which can hit targets at an altitude of 20 m- 45 km, and simultaneously engage six targets, will be a part of the Russian-Belarussian joint air defense system deployed in western regions in June.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2006)