Russia’s use of Iranian airbase for Syria operations ‘not on agenda’
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The use of Iran’s western Hamadan airbase by Russia for its Syria operations is presently not on the agenda, said Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi.
“Whether it is necessary [for Russia] to use our territory again as it did before will depend on relevant situations in the future,” Qassemi told a press conference on Monday, according to Iran’s Press TV.
“But currently it is not on the agenda,” he added.
Late last month Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghen said Russia could use the Nojeh airbase in Hamadan if the situation necessitated it.
Shortly afterward Russian upper house of parliament’s defense committee chair, Viktor Ozerov told RIA Novosti that the Russians could use the base if the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s sole aircraft carrier, which is deployed off Syria’s coast, is needed for operations elsewhere.
“The necessity to use the airfield of the airbase in Hamadan could emerge if Admiral Kuznetsov carries out another operation and [Russia] will not be able to use it for airstrikes against terrorists in Syria,” Ozerov said.
For a week in August Russia deployed large Tu-22 bombers to Nojeh. This significantly shortened the trip of the bombers to Syria – since they previously had to fly all the way from southern Russia.
However, Iran quickly became irked by the fact that Russia revealed its use of this base. Dehghan criticized Moscow on the occasion.
The Russian aircraft subsequently returned home.
“Whether it is necessary [for Russia] to use our territory again as it did before will depend on relevant situations in the future,” Qassemi told a press conference on Monday, according to Iran’s Press TV.
“But currently it is not on the agenda,” he added.
Late last month Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghen said Russia could use the Nojeh airbase in Hamadan if the situation necessitated it.
Shortly afterward Russian upper house of parliament’s defense committee chair, Viktor Ozerov told RIA Novosti that the Russians could use the base if the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s sole aircraft carrier, which is deployed off Syria’s coast, is needed for operations elsewhere.
“The necessity to use the airfield of the airbase in Hamadan could emerge if Admiral Kuznetsov carries out another operation and [Russia] will not be able to use it for airstrikes against terrorists in Syria,” Ozerov said.
For a week in August Russia deployed large Tu-22 bombers to Nojeh. This significantly shortened the trip of the bombers to Syria – since they previously had to fly all the way from southern Russia.
However, Iran quickly became irked by the fact that Russia revealed its use of this base. Dehghan criticized Moscow on the occasion.
“Naturally, the Russians are keen to show that they are a superpower and an influential country and that they are active in security issues in the region and the world,” he said. “There has been a kind of showing-off and inconsiderate attitude behind the announcement of this news.”
Also, parliamentarians questioned the deployment considering that Article 146 of the Iranian Constitution strictly forbids foreign military powers from deploying forces on Iranian territory. Ali Larijani answered these concerns by stressing that Russia was not establishing a permanent military base on Iranian soil.
The Russian aircraft subsequently returned home.