Aiming for Syria, Russian cruise missiles hit Iran — Pentagon
US official says 4 projectiles went off course; Moscow says 26 missiles fired from Caspian Sea, denies any went astray
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WASHINGTON — Several of the long-range cruise missiles that Russia fired at Syrian targets landed instead in Iran, Pentagon officials said Thursday.
Two officials said it’s unclear whether the errant missiles caused any significant damage in Iran. One of the officials said the number of missiles that went off course was four. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Russian government said Wednesday it launched 26 cruise missiles, hitting targets in the Syrian provinces in the north and northwest. It made no mention of any missiles going astray. The missiles were launched from Russian ships in the Caspian Sea. The Kremlin later denied the Pentagon’s claims.
Russian ships stationed in the south Caspian Sea participating in military strikes in Syria have been firing cruise missiles. From the landlocked sea, the most direct flight path for the missiles would require flying over Iran and Iraq.
Russian officials say more than 50 warplanes and helicopters are taking part in the open-ended air operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, including Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 jets. They are flying 20-25 missions a day in Syria, compared to an average of about eight per day by the US-led coalition against the jihadist group.
Russia says it is bombing IS in line with US priorities, but the US says Russia is mainly striking anti-government rebels in support of its ally, President Bashar Assad. The Russians, who are not coordinating with the Americans, reportedly also have hit at least one US-supported rebel group.
On Wednesday the US State Department said a large majority of Russia’s military strikes in Syria have not been aimed at IS group or jihadists tied to Al-Qaeda, and have instead targeted the moderate Syrian opposition who are fighting to oust the Assad regime.
“Greater than 90 percent of the strikes that we’ve seen them take to date have not been against ISIL or al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists,” said State Department spokesman John Kirby.
“They’ve been largely against opposition groups that want a better future for Syria and don’t want to see the Assad regime stay in power.”
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