Presidential Aide Seriously Defends Decision to Allow Russian Fighter Jets' Refueling in Iran

Rasa - Ali Younesi, a top assistant to the Iranian President and a former Intelligence Minister, underlined that the permission to the Russian fighter jets to refuel and carry out anti-terrorism flights from Hamadan base in Western Iran was important and a correct step.

News ID: 423005

Date: 27 August 2016 - 17:31

RNA - "The Russian fighter jets refueling in one of our military bases at one point with the aim of fighting against the ISIL threat shouldn’t be seen as an issue that shows our power, and not weakness," Younesi told FNA on Saturday.

"I consider this military cooperation to fight against the threat of terrorism as important, strategic and necessary. I strenuously defend this cooperation and I rest assured that it was a correct move," he added.

Younesi underscored the necessity for Iran to develop cooperation with the powerful countries which share the same views with Tehran based on the constitution and national interests.

Russia on August 16 used Iran’s Hamadan base amid anti-terror operations in Syria to carry out airstrikes against the ISIL and Fatah Al-Sham (formerly known as Al-Nusra Front), but on August 18, the Russian planes left Iran.

On Monday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that further use of the Hamadan airfield for Russia’s anti-terrorist mission in Syria would be carried out in line with bilateral agreements with the Islamic republic and events on the ground.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Iranian parliament's Foreign Policy and National Security Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said that the Russian military aircraft in Iran are only allowed to refuel at the Hamadan airbase in accordance with existing agreements.

111/847/C