For more on this story, we are joined in studio by Mr. Li Guofu, research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.

Q1. Why is Iran allowing Russia to use its facilities? What is their thinking behind it?

Q2. Just a few days ago, we saw Russia reconcile with Turkey after an earlier row, and now they're using air bases in Iran. How do you read into these moves by Moscow? How will NATO and the United States interpret them?