Analyst: Iran could allow Russia to use Hamadan airbase
An expert from the Association of Military Political Analysts and an Associate Professor of Political Science and Sociology from the Russian University of Economics, retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Perendzhiev, believes that Russia can use the Nojeh airbase in Hamadan on a temporary basis, and in the future, lease it for several years as had been offered by the Iranian Minister of Defense, Hossein Dehghan.
According to the Tasnim News Agency, the Minister of Defense of Iran, Hossein Dehghan, stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran can allow Russian military aircrafts to use the Nojeh airbase in Hamadan. “If the situation and conditions in Syria under which we need to provide support require this, we will get this job done,” Dehghan said in commenting on the possibility of the use of the Iranian airbase by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
“The statement says that the military-political leadership of Iran is ready to amend their legislation which prohibits the deployment of foreign military bases and troops of foreign States, to allow Russia to utilize the airbase on a rental basis. I think, initially, for five years,” Perendzhiev stated in his interview with RIA Novosti on Saturday.
Alexander Perendzhiev believes that Tehran is ready to meet both the operational and visionary wishes of Moscow to use the advanced airfield for a more effective fight against international terrorists in the Syrian Arab Republic. “Now, Iran is ready to provide its military base to Russia on a guest or temporary basis – not on a permanent basis, but more like a hotel – spend the night and move out,” the military expert believes.
For the first time, the Russian Air Force used the Iranian airfield in Hamadan in mid-August to carry out airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State and al-Nusra Front.