Russia Defends Using Iran Bases for Syria Strikes
(Worthy News) – Russia took a scornful swipe at the United States on Wednesday, defending its use of Iranian air bases to launch air strikes on Syria and suggesting State Department officials should “check their logic and knowledge” over the issue.
Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for Russia’s Ministry of Defense, responded Wednesday in a withering statement.
“It’s against our rules to provide advice to the leadership of the U.S. State Department,” he said. “But it’s hard to resist a recommendation for some State Dept. representatives to check their logic and knowledge of fundamental documents of international law.” [ Source: NBC News ]
Denying UN violation, Russia launches new Syria strikes from Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted Wednesday that using the Iranian base did not breach a UN Security Council resolution that requires its prior approval for the supply, sale or transfer of warplanes to Iran.
On Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Russia’s use of an Iranian base was “unfortunate” and “could very well be a violation” of the resolution.
“There are no grounds to suspect Russia of breaching the resolution,” Lavrov said at a news conference in Moscow. [ Source: Times of Israel ]
