Minister apologizes to Speaker for statement deemed downgrading Parliament

According to IRNA, Dehqan said that Iran allowed Russia to use Noje airbase in Hamedan Province in operation against Daesh terrorists in Syria.

Responding to a question posed by a reporter, he said earlier that the decision did not need Majlis approval.

The defense minister said that his statement did not aim to downgrade the status the parliament.

He acknowledged that the status of Majlis has been highlighted by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In his letter to the speaker of parliament, Dehqan recalled the views of the late Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader that the parliament has upper hand in the hierarchy of decisionmaking.

He said per Constitution, MPs can get informed of the issues of the country and during his tenure he had fully cooperated with the Majlis and MPs in the highest possible level.

He deplored the misunderstanding and said, 'What I said was by no means undermining the dignity and standing of Majlis or the MPs; rather, I meant that such a decision (to allow Russia to use Hamedan air base for action against Daesh terrorists) needed no Majlis approval.'

He asked Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani to brief the formal session of Majlis on the issue.

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani had at the start of Majlis session on Tuesday said Russia was to temporarily use Noje air base in Hamedan and just for the fueling purpose.

'We have never given any base to any country. It was temporary and for fueling purpose; so it did not require Majlis permission.'

Larijani said based on the Constitution, providing aliens with base is forbidden and the governing system did not do such a thing.

Larijani added, 'I should notify the Defense Minister that he did not speak accurately about Majlis; and he should have observed respect of sovereignty in such cases.'

He noted that the late Imam Khomeini had said Majlis is on top of all affairs, so in expressing anything and in stage of implementation, it should be honored. 

'So, I ask all friends to pay enough attention to such a structure and levels of the system.'