US Air Force presence in Bulgaria draws warnings from Iran

Iran this week stepped up its complaints over Bulgaria’s decision to allow U.S. Air Force planes to be based in the country for operations in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised the issue during a phone call Thursday with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova.

Iran has made repeated threats over Bulgaria’s decision to allow the U.S. to position refueling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base, one of several Bulgarian military facilities used by U.S. forces.

Bases in Europe have played key roles during the U.S. conflict with Iran even as top Pentagon officials have repeatedly complained about insufficient support from allies.

President Donald Trump issued a public thank-you to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on July 24 his Truth Social platform following the decision.

After Araghchi’s call with Petrova-Chamova, he appeared on state television and argued that Bulgaria’s support for U.S. forces could make it a party to the conflict.

“Allowing one state’s territory to be used by another state to commit an act of aggression against a third state constitutes an act of aggression,” he said.

Iran has not said what form any retaliation could take.

“Those making decisions in Bulgaria must bear responsibility for the dangerous decision to host a U.S. aerial refueling aircraft at their military bases,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said shortly after lawmakers voted to allow the use of Bezmer for such operations.

During the earlier phase of the U.S. bombing campaign, Iran targeted NATO territory, firing missiles into Turkey, where the alliance maintains an important missile defense radar.

All incoming missiles were shot down by NATO’s layered air defense system, which includes U.S. Navy destroyers, ground-based defenses and various radar locations.

U.S. European Command issued a statement earlier this month apparently aimed at reassuring the NATO ally.

“The U.S. has regional defense capabilities in NATO’s eastern flank, including Bulgaria, and we work closely with the Bulgarian government, as well as our allies and partners in the broader region, to remain vigilant against — and to counter — any potential threats.” EUCOM said July 21.

In addition to Bulgaria, bases in the United Kingdom, Germany and Romania are among the locations the U.S. has used as staging areas for Middle East operations.