International Incident: Russia Targeted ISIL with Missiles, Hit Iran

Four Russian cruise missiles launched from the Caspian Sea towards Syria hit Iran, US officials announced, reports the Patria News Agency,

There are no indications of damage yet.

The Russian Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the information. The new development comes after NATO announced it would defend allies if there was an escalation of Russian military force in Syria. NATO is strengthening its forces' capabilities to respond quickly to potential challenges.

Moscow rejects Western accusations that it primarily attacks opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stating that the attacks were solely aimed at strongholds of the Islamic State and other militant groups.

Russia fired cruise missiles at targets in Syria this week without prior notification to the US, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said on Thursday, describing a trend of unpredictable military action that has made the US and its allies nervous, writes Index.