The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a warning on Tuesday to the Bulgarian authorities, advising them not to allow the United States to use Bulgarian territory for military operations against Iran. Such actions would make Bulgaria a “partner of the aggressors,” according to reports from Reuters.
Esmail Baghaei, the ministry’s spokesperson, stated that any activities facilitating American attacks on Iran would amount to complicity in “aggression and war crimes,” local media reported, as noted by Agerpres.
The Iranian official urged Bulgaria not to become a “partner of aggressors and lawbreakers.” Meanwhile, the Bulgarian government announced plans to seek parliamentary approval to station up to eight US tanker aircraft at the Bezmer Air Base, located approximately 260 kilometers southeast of Sofia, for aerial refueling of other aircraft.
Statements from Bulgaria’s President
Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova stated that the presence of American KC-135 aircraft and a contingent of up to 250 US military personnel at the Bezmer Air Base does not equate to Bulgaria’s involvement in the war, according to BTA.
Iotova clarified that parliamentary approval is necessary, and the Bulgarian government is adhering to the law. Bulgarian news agencies reported that the US Air Force has previously stationed refueling aircraft in Bulgaria. These planes were initially scheduled to remain at Sofia Airport until the end of May, but their deployment was extended to the end of June, after which they departed as planned.
