RUSSIA STARTS SHIPPING MISSILES TO IRAN PALS

    Russia has begun delivery of Tor-M1 air-defense missile systems to Iran, a Defense Ministry official said yesterday, confirming that Moscow plans to proceed with arms deals with the outlaw nation despite Western criticism.

    The official, who insisted on anonymity, declined to specify when the deliveries were made and how many. Ministry officials have said Moscow would supply 29 of the missile systems to Iran under a $700 million contract signed last December.

    The United States last spring called on all nations to cease all nuclear cooperation with Iran, thought to be seeking to enrich uranium in a bid for nuclear weapons.

    The U.N. Security Council, where Russia wields a veto, is stalemated as to the severity of Iran sanctions.