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Fight against Islamic state

Russia pauses operations from Iranian military base — Iran’s Foreign Ministry

There is no special arrangement between Tehran and Moscow on using the Shahid Nojeh facility

a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber stands on the tarmac while another plane lands at an air base near Hamedan, Iran WarfareWW Photo via AP

a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber stands on the tarmac while another plane lands at an air base near Hamedan, Iran

© WarfareWW Photo via AP

TEHRAN, August 22. /TASS/. Russia has taken a timeout from using the Iranian military base Shahid Nojeh, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi announced at a Monday news briefing in Tehran.

"Russia has stopped using the air force base for now," he declared, adding there had been no special arrangement between Tehran and Moscow on using the facility.

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"We have a number of agreements with Russia on conducting joint (anti-terrorist) operations. One such agreement envisages the possibility that Iran may grant Russia use of its airspace and infrastructures to fight terrorism in Syria," he affirmed, noting that Tehran’s relations with Moscow were booming over recent years, describing them as strategic.

"Russia and Iran stand closely on the issue of fighting terrorism and the Islamic State (terrorist group outlawed in Russia)," Qasemi stated. "The situation in the region is a very sensitive one. Iran’s own security depends on it and it is of paramount importance to us."

Last week for the first time ever, Russia’s military used an airfield in Iran to attack terrorists in Syria. Long-range bombers, namely Tupolev-22M3 and Sukhoi-34 front-line bombers participated in the raid. Earlier, these aircraft flew sorties from airdromes in Russia and front-line bombers, from the Hmeymim base in Syria.

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