Moscow, Dec 7, SPA -- Russia has every right to sell arms to Iran, its defense minister said on Wednesday, responding to mounting criticism of a $1 billion deal announced last week. "This deal, this contract is absolutely legitimate. Like it or not, it's our affair. There are plenty of things we don't like either," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said in comments shown on NTV television. Diplomats have said the European Union is readying a protest about Russia's sale of the TOR-M1s, which are designed to bring down aircraft and guided missiles at low altitudes. "It is the established policy of the EU not to sell arms, including defensive arms, to Iran," said a draft copy seen by Reuters, which is awaiting comments from EU members and is likely to be amended. --SPA 1535 Local Time 1235 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/308649