Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan delivers a speech as he attends the 5th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS) in Moscow, Russia, April 27, 2016.(Photo:Reuters)
Iran's defense minister is chastising Russia, saying Moscow's announcement on using Iranian bases for attacks on Syrian militants was "kind of show off and ungentlemanly."
State TV's website on Monday quoted Gen. Hossein Dehghan as saying "Russians seek to show that they are a superpower."
Dehghan's remarks were the first sign of pushback from Tehran after Russia last week began using Iranian territory to launch airstrikes in Syria, with Moscow's bombers flying out of the Islamic Republic for three straight days to hit what Russia says are Islamic State targets and other militants in the war-ravaged country.
Iran only confirmed the flights and the use of its bases a day after Russia made the announcement.
Dehghan's comments suggest Iran may not have wanted the flights publicized to such an extent.
Short link: