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Iranian Uncertainty between Offering Facilities, Closing Hamadan Base in Russia’s Face | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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till image shows airstrikes carried out by Russian air force in Syria. Photo: Reuters


Iranian Uncertainty between Offering Facilities, Closing Hamadan Base in Russia’s Face

by | Aug 23, 2016 | World |

Iranian Uncertainty between Offering Facilities, Closing Hamadan Base in Russia’s Face

Beirut, Ankara, London- In a flashy uncertainty, Iran announced on Monday that it withdraws promises to offer Russia more facilities after it had allowed Moscow to launch rockets from its Hamadan base to raid Syrian targets.

The announcement came a week following Russia’s announcement it was using an Iranian air base to raid Syria.

Not only did Tehran terminate its offer for Moscow to use the Hamadan base, but Iran had also criticized Russia for speaking publicly about the issue.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced Monday through its spokesperson Borhan Qassemi that Russia had now stopped using the base for strikes in Syria.

In his first press conference, Qassemi said: “Russia has no base in Iran and is not stationed here. They did this operation and it is finished for now,” uncovering an Irania–Russian agreement to publicize the use of the air base after the end of the Russian operations.

From the other part, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan was less diplomatic when he accused Moscow of having publicized the use of the Hamadan base, adding that the Russian behavior was “rather an act of show and a disrespect of the Iranian side.”

The Defense Minister added: “Russia wishes to present itself as an influential element in the current operation in Syria.”

Dehghan’s comments made on Monday contradicts what the minister said last Saturday about the Russian use of the base and his hints that Russia would be permitted to use other bases when needed.

In Syria, all efforts conducted by Russian mediators had failed to put an end to clashes between regime forces and Kurdish fighters in the city of Hasaka, northeast Syria.

People’s Protection Units (YPG) launched Monday a large attack in an attempt to take the last areas that regime forces control in Hasaka.

While the Kurdish movements in Syria continue to worry Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani will visit Ankara Tuesday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayip Erdogan.

Barzani’s visit comes on the eve of the visit of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Turkey on Wednesday.