Russian Use of Iranian Military Base Contradicts the Spirit of Article 146 of the Constitution

The news was brief and was first announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense on August 17; "The use of the Nojeh military base in Hamadan by the Russians for airstrikes in Syria against Bashar al-Assad's opponents." Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, confirmed this news hours later, considering it part of the "strategic cooperation" between Tehran and Moscow. This is while, according to Article 146 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution, "The establishment of any foreign military base in the country, even for peaceful purposes, is prohibited." However, officials of the Islamic Republic, including Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, deny this issue. Military expert Hossein Aryan, in an interview with Radio Farda, while explaining the advantages of using the Shahrokhi (Nojeh) third fighter base in Hamadan for the Russians, says that although Iranian officials want to pretend that "this is a short-term mission or a short-term joint operation and will soon be over," the use of this military base by the Russian army is "a type of joint operation and contradicts the spirit of Article 146 of the Constitution." My first question is what advantages giving such a base to Russia will provide them in their operations against Assad's opponents in Syria, and can it be said that the Russian army will have more opportunities to attack Assad's opponents? Hossein Aryan: The deployment of Russian warplanes at the third fighter base known as Nojeh or formerly Shahrokhi allows the Russians to use their heavy bombers to bomb Assad's opponents with less distance. Russia uses the "Khmeimim" airbase near Latakia and has various types of fighters stationed there, but to use strategic bombers like the "Tupolev 22M3," they fly them from southern Russia for operations. This means covering a distance of about 2000 kilometers. The deployment of these aircraft at the Nojeh third fighter base means covering a distance of about 700 kilometers. This is very important for the Russians in terms of saving fuel, time, and intensifying bombings. For this reason, they were eager, and Iran also allowed them to be stationed at this base. The Russians have also stationed the Sukhoi 34 at the third fighter base. This can have two roles: one role is "top cover," meaning protection, escort, and air cover for the Tupolevs going for bombing. The other is bombing targets located in eastern Syria, such as the "Deir ez-Zor" province, which is more accessible for the Sukhoi. Therefore, this is also advantageous for the Russians. Another advantage is that the Nojeh (Shahrokhi) base has sufficient facilities and is far better than the Latakia base, which is why the Russians use this base. This base is one of the most important bases in Iran before and after the revolution. Aside from this, the aircraft stationed at this base have many fuel and parts needs, and the crews to service the aircraft, all of these facilities exist at the Nojeh base. In every way, I believe this is beneficial for the Russians. What happened that the Russians announced this news at such a time? Because it seems this issue has existed for a long time, but Iranian officials have not been very willing to announce this news. Your point is absolutely correct. Because this type of work, namely the deployment of aircraft and the preparations and arrangements that must be made, is not spontaneous. Military operations from Iranian airbases by the Russians, although short-term, are a type of joint operation and contradict the spirit of Article 146 of the Constitution. Especially since the Islamic Republic, considering the revolutionary position and the stance of the IRGC commanders who constantly talk about independence and non-dependence on foreign countries, is in contradiction. But they are trying to present it as a short-term mission or a short-term joint operation that will soon be over. But essentially, it contradicts the spirit of Article 146 of the Constitution. Hossein Aryan, military expert. In my opinion, discussions and talks have taken place in the past, a plan for this work was in place, necessary coordination has been done, visits have taken place, and facilities for Russian aircraft have been provided. Therefore, this is a program that has been under consideration for a long time and now, given the events that have occurred inside Syria regarding Aleppo, it has been implemented. Because Aleppo determines the fate of the Assad regime, and consequently, the fate of Aleppo is also very important for Iran and Russia. Likewise for the opponents. This is why Iran and Russia are seeking to intensify bombings to clear eastern Aleppo of the presence of Assad's opposition fighters and push back the fighters to establish themselves there. This is entirely dependent on the survival of the Assad regime. For this reason, they started implementing this program. I think Iran did not want to take the first step itself, but since the Russians have said, and it is highly likely that there was a possibility that the media, especially the Americans, would become aware of these Russian aircraft flights and publicize the issue, the Russians made this issue public, and Mr. Shamkhani also emphasized this. Given that Iranian officials have repeatedly stated, in their own words, that they have military advisory roles in Syria and are helping the army of that country, how likely is it that Iran will also participate in these airstrikes? In terms of airstrikes, I do not think Iran will play a fundamental role. Because the effective force for air operations is the Russians, and likewise part of the remaining air force of the Assad regime, especially helicopters that use barrel bombs. I believe Iran is involved and present in Syria, and its presence is extensive, but it plays the role of ground forces with government forces and militias and Hezbollah against the airstrikes carried out by the Russians. That is, they are the ground force, and the Russians are doing the air force work. The important point seems to be that apparently Iran's decision to provide a military base to the Russians contradicts Article 146 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution, which states, "The establishment of any foreign military base in the country, even for peaceful purposes, is prohibited." Can this event be considered in contradiction to the Constitution and Article 146? It is in contradiction. However, given Mr. Shamkhani's remarks, they are trying to justify it somehow. In any case, such decisions must be approved by the parliament. Yes, absolutely. But Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security, has used phrases like "strategic cooperation with Russia, fighting terrorism." But in any case, your point is correct. Military operations from Iranian airbases by the Russians, although short-term, are a type of joint operation and contradict the spirit of Article 146 of the Constitution. Especially since the Islamic Republic, considering the revolutionary position and the stance of the IRGC commanders who constantly talk about independence and non-dependence on foreign countries, is in contradiction. But they are trying to present it as a short-term mission or a short-term joint operation that will soon be over. But essentially, it contradicts the spirit of Article 146 of the Constitution. Do you think this event will provoke reactions inside Iran? Absolutely. Those who can and are allowed to express opinions will state that, and undoubtedly they will face a strong reaction from the IRGC commanders and those eager for cooperation with the Russians. But some Iranian officials who are not in the principlist spectrum may diplomatically state that this action contradicts Article 146 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution.