An “informed source” in Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff has denied reports that Tehran has allowed Russian strategic bombers to use its military airfields.
ISNA news agency quoted the source as saying on Friday that “Although Iran-Russia cooperation against terrorism is increasing, reports of Russian strategic planes being stationed on Iranian soil is denied.”
The Lebanese al-Mayadeen TV channel reported on Thursday that Russian heavy bombers are once again flying from Iranian military airfields.
It said an agreement was reached between Russian and Iranian high-level military-diplomatic officials, giving Russian bombers the right to transit Iranian airspace and use at least two military airbases for refueling.
The news comes after two Tu-95 and two Tu-22M heavy bombers reportedly left their permanent base in Russia for an unknown destination.
In mid-2016, Russian Tu-22M bombers temporarily used the Hamadan Airbase in west of Iran amid a major bombing operation against the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group in eastern Syria.
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