Iran to Allow Russian Jets Fly from Airbase Again, If Necessary: Shamkhani
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani underlined Tehran’s resolution to continue cooperation with Moscow in the fight against terrorism in Syria, saying Iran will allow Russian jets to fly from Hamedan's Nojeh Airbase again, if necessary.
In a recent interview with the RT Arabic, Shamkhani pointed to an operation against terrorists in Syria, in which Russian bomber jets used Nojeh Airbase in Iran’s western province of Hamedan for flying to Syria, saying that the operation has ended for now.
The strategic relations between Iran and Russia have not ended, but the military operation was naturally limited and finished, he said.
As this case of military cooperation between Iran and Russia has been based on the developments in Syria, the resumption of such cooperation in the future also hinges on the developments in the Arab country.
Eelier on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi had said that Russian military jets’ use of the airbase has ended for the time being.
Qassemi noted that Tehran and Moscow had agreed to publicize such cooperation after the aerial operations.
On Saturday, Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said the Russian aircraft fly to the Iranian airbase to be either refueled or get reloaded, noting that they use the base for more effective operation against terrorist groups in Syria.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.
Meanwhile, Russia’s aerial support for the Syrian forces since September 2015 has given fresh impetus to the fight against the foreign-backed terrorists.
Iran has also remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of militancy.