Iran’s parliament criticized the military Tuesday for rejecting civilian oversight after Russian troops were permitted to use an Iranian air base to launch air strikes against the Islamic State and Syrian militants.
Russia’s use of the Shahid Nojeh Air Base marked the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that Iran has allowed a foreign nation to stage military operations from its territory. The move was unpopular among civilians.
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani condemned Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan for not "speaking properly" to the concerns of lawmakers. He said Dehghan "should have observed the ethics of governing," the Associated Press reported, citing the state-run IRNA news agency.
Dehghan said this past weekend that Russia’s use of the air base did not concern parliament. The legislative body "has oversight of all government ministries," according to the AP.
Larijani said the move did not need parliamentary approval because it was "temporary and only for refueling."
Iran’s foreign ministry announced Monday that Russia had halted operations from an Iranian airbase to launch strikes in Syria. Both countries are fighting to support Syrian President Bashar al Assad, who Turkey has wanted to depose since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. The United States has also called for Assad to step down from power.
Larijani commented over the weekend that Russian flights from the air base "have not stopped," according to local media.
Dehghan on Monday criticized Russia for publicizing the military collaboration, calling the move a "betrayal of trust."