Bulgaria rejects Iran's criticism over U.S. aircraft deployment

The Bulgarian government on Wednesday rejected warnings from Iran, which stated that the planned stationing of U.S. refueling aircraft in the country would make Bulgaria complicit in "military crimes and aggression" in the Middle East. The Bulgarian government maintains that the aircraft will serve solely logistical purposes.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated, "I categorically reject the idea that military operations in the Middle East will be conducted from Bulgarian territory." He added, "The refueling aircraft will be used exclusively for logistical missions, and the tanks will be filled outside Bulgarian airspace."

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I categorically reject the idea that military operations in the Middle East will be conducted from Bulgarian territory. The refueling aircraft will be used exclusively for logistical missions, and the tanks will be filled outside Bulgarian airspace.

The Bulgarian government announced Monday that it had asked parliament to approve Washington's request to station eight U.S. refueling aircraft at the Bezmer Air Base. Parliament is expected to vote on the matter Wednesday. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaïl Bakhaei had warned on Tuesday that Bulgaria should not allow the United States to use its territory for military operations against Iran, as this would make Sofia "an accomplice to aggressors and criminals."

The U.S. and Iran have intensified mutual attacks since a temporary ceasefire agreement, signed a month ago, failed. This has also increased the chance of the conflict fully resuming, according to Reuters.

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Bulgaria should not allow the United States to use its territory for military operations against Iran, as this would make Sofia 'an accomplice to aggressors and criminals.'