Shamkhani Confirms Deployment of Russian Bombers in Hamadan

Following reports of Russia using Iranian airspace for bombing in Syria, Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, confirmed these reports and described Tehran and Moscow's cooperation as 'strategic'. Reports indicate that Russia has stationed several of its long-range bombers in Hamadan, Iran, and is using them to bomb positions of Bashar al-Assad's opponents in Syria. In this context, the Russian Ministry of Defense also announced that these aircraft took off from Hamadan airbase on Tuesday, August 16, and bombed positions of Assad's opponents in Syria. According to Reuters, the attacks utilized Tupolev 22 long-range bombers and Sukhoi 34 fighter-bombers. Military expert Hossein Aryan told Radio Farda that this base allows Russia to target eastern provinces in Syria, and military operations are entering a new phase... 'In my opinion, all efforts are focused on defeating the rebels in Aleppo because Aleppo determines the status of Bashar al-Assad's rule.' Aryan adds, 'In some respects, the constitution has been violated, but Shamkhani has used terms like strategic cooperation and implicitly suggested that this cooperation will not be permanent. In any case, the use of foreign bases in Iran for bombing and military operations is in complete contradiction with the slogans and so-called revolutionary stance of the Islamic Republic, which constantly emphasizes independence and non-dependence on foreign countries.' According to Article 146 of the Iranian Constitution, the establishment of any foreign military base in the country, even for peaceful purposes, is prohibited. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, also reported on Tuesday, citing Ali Shamkhani, that the goal of Tehran and Moscow's cooperation is 'the fight against terrorism' and is described as 'strategic'. Images of Russian aircraft in Hamadan have been published. Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, and his major supporters in the civil war, namely Iran and Russia, label all of Assad's opponents as 'terrorists' regardless of their affiliations. Hamadan hosts the third fighter base of the Iranian Air Force named Shahrokhi (Nojeh). According to Reuters, this is the first time Russia has officially announced the deployment of its warplanes in Iran and the bombing of Assad's opponents with these aircraft. In this context, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that these attacks were carried out against Islamist militants in the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, and Deir ez-Zor. Meanwhile, Russian Air Force aircraft stationed in Syria have provided air support for these bombers. Russia and Iran are the only countries in the world that provide military, arms, and financial support to Bashar al-Assad's government in the Syrian civil war. In this war, which has lasted over five years and shows no signs of ending, hundreds of thousands have been killed and wounded, and millions have been displaced.