Russian SU-34 bombers based at the Hamadan air base in Iran have carried out a second day of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria.

Russia's defense ministry said that more than 150 militants have been killed and two command posts destroyed in the strikes. Moscow announced on Tuesday that Russian bombers had started using the air base in Iran.

The Defence Ministry said they were Tupolev-22M3 long-range bombers and Sukhoi-34 fighter bombers. They were launched from Hamadan air base in Iran. It’s understood to be cheaper and quicker to fly out of Hamadan, with flight time estimated to be reduced by 60%.

Before Russia was flying these bombers out of North Ossetia as its base in Latakia in Syria is not big enough for these planes. The distance to Palmyra from North Ossetia is around 2000km while the distance from Hamadan is around 900km. Moscow says it is more convenient to fly from a base in Iran.

Russia and Iran share similar goals in Syria and the two countries are part of the same coalition fighting ISIL. Military cooperation between the two countries has been on the increase in recent years.