BEIRUT (AP) – The Latest on developments in the Syrian war (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman says Russia will stop using an Iranian air base for airstrikes in Syria for the time being.
Bahram Ghasemi told reporters on Monday in Tehran that the Russian airstrikes on militants in Syria were “temporary, based on a Russian request.”
He also says the strikes were carried out with “mutual understanding and with Iran’s permission” and that the Russian mission “is finished, for now.”
Ghasemi reiterated that Russia “has no base in Iran.”
His remarks reflect the Iranian authorities’ displeasure at the extent of publicity Russia’s use of an Iranian air base got last week.
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9:30 a.m.
Iran’s defense minister is chastising Russia, saying Moscow’s announcement on using Iranian bases for attacks on Syrian militants was “kind of show off and ungentlemanly.”
State TV’s website on Monday quoted Gen. Hossein Dehghan as saying “Russians seek to show that they are a superpower.”
Dehghan’s remarks were the first sign of pushback from Tehran after Russia last week began using Iranian territory to launch airstrikes in Syria, with Moscow’s bombers flying out of the Islamic Republic for three straight days to hit what Russia says are Islamic State targets and other militants in the war-ravaged country.
Iran only confirmed the flights and the use of its bases a day after Russia made the announcement.
Dehghan’s comments suggest Iran may not have wanted the flights publicized to such an extent.