Moscow: All Russian warplanes leave Iran
All the Russian warplanes based in Iran have returned home, several Russian officials spokesmen calmly confirmed Monday, shortly after Tehran abruptly ended the Russian presence at an Iranian air base near Hamedan. The defense ministry in Moscow said Iran would let Russian use the base “depending on the situation” in Syria. A Russian military spokesman said the planes had "carried out all their tasks with success" and were back on home territory. Russia's ambassador to Tehran, Levan Dzhagaryan, confirmed the withdrawal, adding that he sees no reason why the Russians could not use the Iranian base again – "if the leaders of our two countries consider it necessary and reach the relevant agreements.”