Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has called on Bulgaria to reconsider its recent decision to permit the temporary deployment of U.S. military aircraft at the Bezmer air base, according to Iranian state media on Thursday. During a phone conversation with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araqchi argued that Bulgaria’s approval of a U.S. request to station aircraft there to support military operations effectively enables aggression against Iran. He emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and undermine the traditionally friendly relations between the two nations.
Iran has issued repeated warnings to countries allowing their territories to be used for U.S. military actions against Iran, warning of potential consequences. Separately, Araqchi spoke with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, stressing the need to ensure that foreign military bases in Cyprus are not utilized for any operations targeting Iran.
Last week, Bulgaria’s parliament approved the temporary stationing of up to eight U.S. KC-135 tanker aircraft and 250 personnel at Bezmer air base, despite Iranian objections. Bulgarian authorities clarified that no offensive weapons would be deployed and that the move does not make Bulgaria a participant in military operations.
Cyprus hosts two British military bases, including RAF Akrotiri, which was targeted by an Iranian drone in early March — shortly after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iran. Britain had previously agreed to a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile depots; however, they later clarified that RAF Akrotiri would not participate in these defensive operations. The defense arrangements were maintained by Britain’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, in July, prompting warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards against Britain’s involvement in facilitating U.S. military actions against Iran.