Iran has issued a third warning to Bulgaria, stating that Bulgarian decision-makers must be held responsible for allowing US military aircraft to use its bases. This follows a public thank you from US President Donald Trump to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev for supporting US air base deployment.
The escalating diplomatic tensions between Iran and Bulgaria over the presence of US military aircraft highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the potential for increased regional instability.
Iran has issued a fresh warning to Bulgaria concerning the presence of US military aircraft on Bulgarian bases, escalating diplomatic tensions. The Iranian Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, stated that Bulgarian decision-makers must be held responsible for this "dangerous decision" to host US aerial refuelling aircraft.
Tehran claims that such decisions are not isolated incidents and have been made previously to support US military operations against Iran. The ministry also emphasized the historical respect between the Iranian and Bulgarian people.
This marks the third warning from Iran to Bulgaria on this issue. The latest remarks follow a public statement by US President Donald Trump, who thanked Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev for supporting the deployment of a US Air Force base, despite Iran's threats.
Despite the exchange, Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov sought to reassure the public, stating that the risks remain limited. He acknowledged that "anything is possible" regarding a potential missile attack but argued that the risk is lower than when US aircraft were stationed at a civilian airport. Earlier in the week, Bulgaria's parliament approved the relocation of US aircraft to the Bezmer military air base, a decision that has led to protests from local residents concerned about becoming a potential target amid rising regional tensions.