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Iran has issued a direct warning to Bulgaria over plans to host US military aircraft, saying Sofia must not allow its territory to become a launchpad for operations against Tehran.
The warning follows a Bulgarian government proposal to temporarily deploy up to eight US aerial refuelling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base in the country’s southeast.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said any support for US attacks would make Bulgaria complicit in what Tehran describes as “aggression and war crimes”.
Sofia and Washington have sought to play down those concerns, insisting that the deployment is defensive and not linked to military operations in the Middle East.
US European Command said it was closely following the situation and remained ready to respond to potential threats.
“The United States maintains regional defensive capabilities across NATO’s eastern flank, including in Bulgaria, and works closely with the Bulgarian government and our allies and partners throughout the broader region,” it said.
“We remain vigilant and prepared to counter any potential threats.”
The aircraft were previously based at Sofia Airport but were asked to leave the civilian facility at the end of June. After Washington renewed its request, the Bulgarian government proposed transferring them to the military base at Bezmer.
Aerial refuelling aircraft allow fighter jets and other military planes to remain airborne for longer by supplying them with fuel during flight.
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry has firmly rejected claims that the country could be used to support attacks on Iran.
“It is out of the question for any military operations in the Middle East to be carried out from Bulgarian territory,” the ministry said.
The Bulgarian government added that it was not taking hostile action against Tehran and urged both Iran and the United States to stop military operations and return to negotiations aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire.
The exchange comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran rise again following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire.
This is not the first time Iran has warned Bulgaria: in April, Tehran sent Sofia a diplomatic note cautioning against allowing US military aircraft to use Bulgarian airports for operations targeting Iran.