Bulgaria rejects use of its territory for US action against Iran

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has stated that Bulgaria will not permit its territory to be used for military operations in the Middle East, underlining that the planned deployment of US tanker aircraft at Bezmer Air Base will serve exclusively logistical functions and conduct aerial refuelling missions outside Bulgarian airspace.

Addressing the July 22 meeting of the Council of Ministers, Radev said the government had informed the public about a request from Bulgaria’s allies to station tanker aircraft at Bezmer and had chosen to refer the issue to the National Assembly so lawmakers could express their views on the matter, Caliber.Az reports, citing Bulgarian media.

“We reject the practice of decisions being made behind the backs of Bulgarian citizens. That is why we submitted the request to the National Assembly, where the people’s representatives will give their opinion,” Radev emphasised.

The Prime Minister noted that two months ago the government amended an earlier decision that would have enabled a larger number of the same aircraft to be based at Sofia’s civilian airport. According to Radev, such an arrangement would have placed military planes among civilian and passenger aircraft, near heavily used terminals and in close proximity to the capital.

He explained that the current proposal relates to Bezmer Air Base, which falls under the 2006 Defence Cooperation Agreement between Bulgaria and the United States. Bulgaria, he said, is honouring its obligations under existing agreements and expects allied nations to provide similar support when Sofia requires assistance.

“Despite the behavior of politicians who sow and instill insecurity abroad and work against the authority of our country, Bulgaria remains a predictable partner,” he said, adding that exploiting security matters for political gain was irresponsible.

Radev also stressed that Bulgaria values its relationship with Iran and dismissed any suggestion that the country could participate in military action targeting Tehran.

“It is categorically excluded to conduct hostilities in the Middle East from Bulgarian territory,” the PM said, stressing that the US tanker aircraft would be employed solely for logistical tasks and aerial refuelling operations conducted outside Bulgarian airspace.

His comments followed an official diplomatic note from Iran warning Bulgaria against permitting the deployment of US military aircraft. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that allowing Bulgarian facilities to be used for American operations would make Sofia complicit in what Tehran described as military aggression.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Bulgaria should not permit the United States to use its territory or sovereign facilities for such purposes.

By Jeyhun Aghazada