Russia denied on Thursday that it would sell air defence systems to 'troubled regions'.

The denial came after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tried this month to win a pledge from Moscow that it would not sell advanced arms to Iran.

When asked at a briefing whether Russia had pledged not to deliver S-300 defence systems to Iran, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said: "We have already repeatedly stated at the very highest political levels that we do not intend to deliver those types of arms to countries which are located in troubled regions."    

Reports have said recently that Russia may sell Iran S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, a weapon that would help Tehran fend off an attack by Israel or the United States.-Reuters