Russia warns US-led coalition not to get close to Assad’s flight to Tehran

Four Russian warplanes will guard the aircraft carrying Syrian ruler Bashar Assad flying to Tehran for a visit in late December or early January, Iran’s official news agency Fars reported Tuesday. Moscow has warned the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State “not to get close to Assad’s plane in order to avoid an aerial battle,” according to a Lebanese newspaper closet to the Assad regime. On its way to Iran, Assad’s plane is expected to fly over Iraq, where the US maintains a military presence.