Iran Ready to Allow Russia's Flights From Hamadan Airbase If Needed - Diplomat

Tehran is ready to allow Russia's Aerospace Forces to conduct flights from Hamadan airbase depending on the situation in Syria, Hossein Sheikholeslam, an adviser to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, said Tuesday.

TEHRAN (Sputnik) — Sheikholeslam added that "the airbase is fully owned by Iran."

"If Russia has such a need and the issue is agreed with the Russian side, Russia's Aerospace Forces will be able to use the base to carry out their military mission in Syria, but, I stress, under strict control of our armed forces," Sheikholeslam told Sputnik.

"If the situation in Syria requires, then, like last time, we are ready to allow the Russian side again to conduct flights from that airfield and refuel its aircraft," he said.

Earlier, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said that Tehran could allow Russia to use Hamadan for Moscow's aerial operation against terrorists in Syria.

Iran allowed Russian jets 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.