Russia would be willing to look at requests from Iran to buy front-line fighters and bombers if Tehran were to place such an order, an official in Russia's state arms exporter has been quoted as saying.

"If Iran were interested in military transport planes, or tactical battle aviation, we would look at this request," Alexander Mikheyev, the deputy director of Rosoboronexport, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

In March, Interfax said Moscow may freeze a reported deal to deliver S-300 missile systems to Iran. The US and Israel had watched with unease reports on supplies of Russia's formidable S-300 system to Iran.

The possession of an air defence system as efficient as the S-300 could help Iran fend off potential air strikes by Israel and the United States on its nuclear sites.