‘Those responsible must face the consequences’: Iran again warns Bulgaria over US aircraft deployment

Iran has issued a fresh warning to Bulgaria after the Balkan country allowed the United States to use its military bases, escalating diplomatic tensions between Tehran and Sofia. In a statement posted on social media, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that “those making decisions in Bulgaria must bear responsibility for the dangerous decision to host a US aerial refuelling aircraft at their military bases.” The statement added that Tehran believes this is not an isolated case, claiming that similar decisions have been taken before to “support US military operations against Iran.” “The Bulgarian people know very well that the Iranian people have never had any problems with Bulgaria. For decades, relations between our two nations have been based on mutual respect,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. The latest remarks mark the third time Iran has issued a warning to Bulgaria over the presence of US military aircraft. It came just days after US President Donald Trump publicly thanked Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev in a post on Truth Social. “Thank you, Prime Minister Radev! Bulgaria stands with Trump and supports the deployment of a US Air Force base despite Iran’s threats,” Trump wrote.

'Risk remains limited', minister reassures public

The exchange has fuelled concerns in Bulgaria, even as Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov sought to reassure the public that the risks remain limited. Speaking to Bulgarian broadcaster bTV, Stoyanov said he was not concerned about the possibility of Iran launching a missile attack against Bulgaria, although he acknowledged that “anything is possible.” Addressing fears of potential terrorist attacks, the minister argued that the risk is now lower than when US military aircraft were stationed at a civilian airport. Earlier this week, Bulgaria’s parliament approved the relocation of the US aircraft to the Bezmer military air base. The decision has sparked protests among local residents, who say they fear the move could make the area a potential target amid rising regional tensions.