Russian Ambassador: We Will Use Iranian Military Bases for Operations in Syria if Necessary

The Russian ambassador to Iran stated that Moscow will use Iranian military infrastructure for operations against 'terrorists' in Syria if deemed necessary by the leaders of both countries. On Wednesday, February 9, in an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Levon Jagaryan said that if the leaders of the two countries find it necessary, Russia will use Iran's military infrastructure to 'suppress terrorism in Syria' or anywhere else it is deemed necessary. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced for the first time on August 17 this year that its fighter jets used the Hamadan base to bomb positions of Bashar al-Assad's opponents in Syria. Hamadan hosts the third air force base of Iran, named Shahrokhi (Nojeh). This was the first time since the 1979 Revolution that Iran officially confirmed a foreign country had used its military bases. Additionally, it was the first time since World War II and the occupation of Iran by Allied forces that Russians had used Iranian territory for military operations. The publication of this news caused significant controversy in Iran's political and media landscape, with some members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly declaring it contrary to Article 146 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution, which states that 'the establishment of any foreign military base in the country, even for peaceful purposes, is prohibited.' However, Iranian officials, including the Minister of Defense, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and the Speaker of Parliament, denied that a military base was given to Russia, claiming that the landing of Russian fighter jets at the Nojeh base was for refueling. The then-spokesman for the U.S. State Department also reacted, stating that Russia's use of an Iranian airbase for airstrikes in Syria was 'regrettable but not unexpected.' The Russian ambassador to Iran also announced that Moscow completed the delivery process of the S-300 system to Iran in 2016. Iran purchased the S-300 missile system over a decade ago, but Moscow refrained from delivering it due to increased nuclear sanctions against the Islamic Republic. During negotiations between Iran and six world powers to resolve Tehran's nuclear program, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the delivery of this system to Iran in early 2015. Since then, the system has been sent to Iran in separate shipments, and as the Russian ambassador stated, the delivery process was completed by the end of last year.