Iran Protests U.S. Military Aircraft Deployment in Bulgaria

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted Bulgarian and Cypriot officials to oppose the use of their territories for United States military operations. Araghchi specifically protested the Bulgarian parliament's decision to authorize the temporary deployment of up to eight U.S. KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and 250 personnel at the Bezmer Air Base from July 24 through October 1.

During a telephone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Araghchi argued that allowing territory to be used for aggression against another state constitutes an act of aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314. He described the deployment as unacceptable and inconsistent with traditionally friendly relations. Petrova responded that direct military operations related to the Middle East conflict would not be carried out from Bulgarian territory, maintaining that no offensive weapons would be deployed.

Araghchi also spoke with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to prevent foreign bases in Cyprus from being used against Iran. Simultaneously, Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned the United Kingdom after Prime Minister Andy Burnham maintained a defense arrangement allowing the U.S. to use British bases, such as RAF Akrotiri, for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles.