Iran warned Bulgaria on Monday against allowing its territory or military facilities to support US or Israeli operations, saying Tehran reserved the right to strike the source of any attack against it.
“We have no problem with the Bulgarian people,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said. However, he argued that any action supporting what Tehran describes as US-Israeli military aggression would amount to participation in an act of aggression.
Baghaei said countries had no reason to fear Iran unless they permitted foreign forces to use their military bases to launch or facilitate attacks.
“Iran has the right to target the source and place of origin of any act of aggression,” he said, adding that Tehran would make no concessions when defending its territory.
The warning followed the temporary deployment of US KC-135 aerial-refuelling aircraft and American military personnel at Bulgaria’s Bezmer Air Base.
Bulgaria’s parliament approved the stationing of up to eight US tanker aircraft, 250 personnel and supporting equipment between July 24 and October 1. The proposal passed by 136 votes to 13, with two abstentions.
Baghaei said Tehran had received reports that several of the refuelling aircraft had since left Bulgaria. He nevertheless described the decision to host them as contrary to international law and as support for US military operations against Iran.
Bulgaria has rejected suggestions that it is participating in attacks. Sofia says no offensive operations would be launched from its territory and that the US aircraft were intended for logistical and aerial-refuelling missions outside Bulgarian airspace.
The deployment was authorised under a 2006 defence cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and the United States. Bulgarian officials said Washington had provided assurances aimed at reducing risks to the country’s national security.
Iran has repeatedly warned states in the region that military facilities used to support attacks against Iranian territory could be treated as legitimate targets.
Iran has issued a stark warning to NATO member Bulgaria: if its territory is used to support attacks against Tehran, the country could become part of the battlefield.