Deputy commander of the Iranian army had confirmed that Russia have launched cruise missiles from Iranian territory on targets in Syria, with the approval of Iran’s general staff.

Ahmad Reza Pourdastan speaking to Tasnim news agency also said that the missiles were fired from Nozheh base in Hamadan, western Iran based on the “unwritten” agreement between the two countries and “in support of Syria”.

He did not elaborate when or on how many occasions Russia has fired missiles from Iran.

General Pourdastan also spoke the use of Iranian airbases by Russian warplanes. “The route for some Russian planes passes over Iran to reach Syria and hit ISIS”, he said, adding, “only Nozheh base has the capability to provide services to Russian warplanes…but we did not put the airbase under the control of the Russian” but their warplanes landed there only to be serviced.

The Iranian commander also explained that when Russian warplanes need to land, they have to coordinate with Iran and “we give them permission”. He claimed that on some occasions they did not have permission and had to return.

Previously, Iranian officials had mentioned that Russian planes “on some occasions” are allowed to use Iranian bases.

In August 2016 Russia announced that its warplanes use the Nozheh airbase to attack targets in Syria. Iran’s defense minister at the time, Hossein Dehqan had criticized Russia’s announcement calling it an “unkind” act.