Published: 7:37pm, 16 Aug, 2016 Updated: 2:54pm, 20 Jul, 2018
Russian warplanes have reportedly taken off from a base in Iran to target rebel fighters in Syria , according to Russia 's Defence ministry , stepping up its campaign in the Syrian civil war . This suggests cooperation at the highest level between turkey and Russia , being the first time in recent history that Iran has become another major power to use one of its bases to stage attacks . Both Russia and turkey are key allies of embattled Syrian President , sultan al - din .