By Clark Mindock, International Business Times
Russian aircraft are free to use Iranian airspace as they attack Syrian targets, a top Iranian official said Thursday, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency. The statements come as Russia takes an increasingly active role in the Syrian civil war, including firing missiles from the Caspian Sea over Iranian territory.
Iran Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani reportedly denounced Western military responses to the Syrian conflict in the interview, and praised the Russian response. He said Russian aircraft do not need prior approval to fly through Iranian airspace to conduct strikes on Islamic State group and Syrian targets.
“We do not need such an agreement, and Iran supports the Russian position on the fight against terrorism and will continue to assist Moscow,” Larijani said.