In a lengthy meeting with President Shimon Peres on Tuesday, Russian President Dimitry Medvedev declared his country's opposition to Iran's obtaining nuclear arms. Medvedev also expressed his desire to deepen and expand Israel-Russia relations.
"Russia is interested in upgrading its strategic relationship with the State of Israel to the same level as that which exists 
Iranian investment in long-range missiles "is clear indication of its intent."
between us and Germany, France and Italy," Medvedev told President Peres at the start of their four-hour-long meeting.
President Medvedev and President Peres met at the Russian leader's summer residence in Sochi, a well known resort on the shore of the Black Sea. The two men discussed their nations' bilateral relations, Russia's involvement in negotiations between Israel and Arab leaders, the fate of Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit, ongoing Russian arms sales to nations hostile to Israel, as well as the Iranian nuclear program.
An Iranian Nuclear Weapon: 'A Flying Death Camp'
"The problem with Iran is not only the desire to produce nuclear weapons," President Peres explained to his host, "but also the character of the regime. Mr. President, I am a Jew. A large portion of my family, from Belarus, were murdered by the Nazis, and I am unable to sit and do nothing when I hear the Iranian president calling for the destruction of Israel. From my point of view, a nuclear weapon in Iranian hands has only one meaning - a flying death camp."
Peres said that Iran's leaders may not launch a nuclear missile at Israel "tomorrow morning, but there is no doubt that it will take place." Iranian investment in long-range missiles "is clear indication of its intent," he said.
In July, Iran test launched its Shihab-3 missile at a location in central Iran. The Shihab-3 has a maximum range of 2,100 kilometers and can carry weapons of mass destruction in its warhead.
Aside from the threat of direct missile attack, President Peres added, "It is impossible to determine into whose hands the nuclear weapons will fall. Terrorist organizations operate around the world, and they do not hesitate, as you know, to use any means at their disposal."
Regarding his nation's policy on Iranian nuclear development, President Medvedev replied, "Russia is opposed to nuclear weapons in Iranian hands. This situation worries us all, and we have no doubt that should Iran acquire nuclear weapons, it will lead to a nuclear arms race among other Middle Eastern countries. This is a very bad scenario."
The Russian leader added that he and U.S. President Barack Obama spent a considerable amount of time on the issue of Iranian WMD capabilities. President Obama displayed a very "constructive approach", according to Medvedev.
Russian Weapons Sales Endanger Israel
In addition to the dangers of Iranian weapons development, President Peres raised the issue of Russian weapons and military hardware sales to countries hostile to Israel. He stressed that Israel has concrete proof of Russian weapons being transferred to terrorist organizations by Iran and Syria, especially to Hamas in Gaza and Hizbullah in Lebanon.
President Peres stressed that the spread of Russian weapons could damage the delicate balance of power in the region. He requested that Medvedev reconsider Russian policy regarding such arms sales.
President Medvedev replied that it is his intention to reexamine the Israeli request. "Russia is opposed to the selling of weapons that can violate the delicate balance in the Middle East, and we do not intend to change our position."