NEW YORK (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed its Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 strike aircraft took off from the Hamadan airfield in Iran to stage airstrikes against terrorists in Syria.
"It is yet again another complication in an already extremely complex environment," James said, adding Russia’s use of the base is “not a welcomed development from the standpoint of the United States.”
US Got Short Notice of Russia's Launching Strikes From Iran Air Base
"There is no broader coordination. There is nothing beyond discussions about safety of flights. We were given a little bit of advance warning… in order to avoid shoot downs and mistakes that may have occurred otherwise in the air, but that is it," James stated.
Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Army Col. Christopher Garver told reporters on Tuesday the US-led coalition against the Daesh has received information ahead of time about planned Russian flights in Syria initiated from an air base in Iran.
Following the announcement, the US State Department said it considers the Russian move unhelpful.
The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against the Daesh in Syria since September 2014, but without the approval of the legitimate government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council.
