Russia has stopped using air bases in Iran for strikes in Syria after a short-lived campaign from the country. Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan called Russia’s publicizing the use of the air bases a “betrayal of trust,” saying on Monday that Russian aircraft were not there to stay, according to Reuters. There was no written agreement, and the bases were only used for refueling, Iranian officials reiterated. Russia last week said it used the Shahid Nojeh Air Base near Hamedan to refuel before striking in Syria. The US State Department said the move was “unfortunate but not surprising,” and questioned whether it violated UN Security Resolutions on combat aircraft in Iran.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
