Russia May Use Iran's Hamadan Base if Admiral Kuznetsov Moves Away From Syria

Russia could use Iran's Hamadan airbase in case the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier used for anti-terror strikes in Syria moves away from the Syrian borders for a new mission, the Russian upper house of parliament's defense committee chair said Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said that Tehran could allow Russia to use Hamadan for Moscow's aerial operation against terrorists in Syria.

"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," Viktor Ozerov told RIA Novosti.

The Russian Aerospace Forces began their operation against terrorists in Syria on September 30, 2015, at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad supported by Moscow and Tehran.

Iran allowed the Russian strike force to operate from the base in the Hamadan province in mid-August. The jets returned to Russia a week later, after completing their anti-terror mission, which targeted jihadists in Syria.