At least four Russian cruise missiles are reported to have accidentally hit the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to two U.S. officials quoted on Thursday by CNN.
The missiles allegedly crashed Wednesday (Oct. 7) as they flew over Iran after being launched from Russian ships in the south Caspian Sea. They were headed for targets in Syria, via the Kurdistani skies of Iran and Iraq, where the missiles were seen flying low in the air.
(video footage courtesy of the UK’s Daily Mail)
Russian officials said they coordinated the attack with Syria, Iran, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrilla fighters using air, land and sea forces. The launch involved 26 cruise missiles fired from naval vessels about 900 miles away from their intended targets.
Most of the attack was allegedly focused on Da’esh (ISIS) terrorists, but it was clear that Russia was intent on pushing back Syrian opposition forces who had recently gained ground near the coast as well.
There have also been reports of Russian jets intimidating coalition forces as they fight to support the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The U.S.-led coalition is fighting Assad’s forces and is backing the self-described “moderate” rebel faction.
