Iran lodged a complaint with the International Court of Arbitration against Russia after the latter refused to deliver S-300 air defense systems to Tehran in compliance with the two countries' contract, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced on Wednesday, September 28.

"We have received our prepayment from Russia, but we have sent our complaint to the International Court of Arbitration to receive compensation," Vahidi told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting in Tehran, Fars News Agency reported.

The International Court of Arbitration settles international commercial disputes and since the Russian company (responsible for the S-300 contract) is non-governmental, Iran filed a complaint with the court in order to compensate for its losses.

Under a contract signed in 2007, Russia was required to provide Iran with at least five S-300 air-defense systems. However, Moscow's continued delays in delivering the defense system drew criticism from the Islamic Republic on several occasions.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree in September 2010 prohibiting the sale of S-300 missile systems to Iran, citing restrictions under sanctions the UN Security Council imposed on Tehran in June over its nuclear activities.