Israeli government officials have expressed satisfaction with the Russian Foreign Ministry's announcement that Russia will not sell advanced anti-aircraft systems to Iran. There has been talk about Russia supplying Iran with the S-300 system to defend Iranian nuclear sites against Israeli attacks. Syria has also been mentioned as a customer for the anti-aircraft defenses.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke against those sales during his trip to Moscow before the Yom Kippur holiday. Officials said that the Prime Minister acheived his goals in discussions on his trip to Moscow.