Russia is defending its use of an Iranian air base to launch airstrikes against targets in Syria. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Russian fighter jets are using the Hamedan air base with Iran’s approval. He said the aircraft are supporting what he called “counter-terrorism” operations in Syria. Russia’s defense ministry said it started using the base this week to attack Islamic State positions in northern and eastern Syria. The defense ministry said the attacks also targeted Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the militant group formerly known as the al-Nusra Front. The United States is leading an international coalition against IS forces in Iraq and Syria. The coalition cleared the way for the Russian airplanes to pass over Iraq on their way from Iran to Syria. Coalition spokesman Chris Garver confirmed the flights. “They informed us they were coming through, and we insured safety of flight as those bombers passed through the area and toward their target.”