WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is very concerned about Russia utilizing Iran’s Hamadan airbase, and considers the move unhelpful, US Department of State deputy spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters on Wednesday.
"Yesterday, we said we are looking at it, we are trying to get a better assessment of what’s going on. But, I stand by what I said yesterday, which is fundamentally this is not helpful," Toner said.
"So, our concerns remain very vivid," Toner maintained.
On Tuesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that it had deployed Tu-22M3 bombers and Su-34 strike fighters to the Hamadan airbase, and the aircraft had already been used to carry out airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria.
Following the statement, US Secretary of State John Kerry raised concerns with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over Moscow’s use of the Iranian airbase.