Rutte assures Bulgaria: Iran attack would be NATO attack

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has assured Bulgaria that any attack by Iran on the Balkan nation would be treated as an assault on the entire North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Speaking with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO's commitment to collective defense, stating that an attack on one member state would unequivocally be considered an attack on the alliance, invoking Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Stoltenberg also highlighted NATO's demonstrated defense capabilities, referencing a recent incident where ballistic missiles targeting Turkey were intercepted. He confirmed that NATO forces in the region are prepared to react and neutralize any threats.

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Any attack against a NATO member state will be categorically treated as an attack against the Alliance, with all the measures derived from the North Atlantic Treaty

The assurance comes amid reports suggesting Iran is evaluating potential attacks on military targets, particularly in response to a possible escalation of conflict with the United States. Bulgaria, which recently approved the use of its Bezmer air base for U.S. refueling aircraft, has been identified as a potential target, along with Cyprus and undersea fiber optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz.

A NATO official reiterated the alliance's readiness to address any threat and take necessary measures to defend all allies, underscoring a unified stance against potential aggression.

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is prepared to address any threat and will do whatever is necessary to defend all allies