Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated once\nagain. The Iranian government has issued a warning to the NATO member\nBulgaria, urging the cancellation of its decision to allow US military\naircraft to use the Bezmer Air Base to support Washington\u2019s military\noperations.<\/p>\n
Citing Reuters, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed\nthese objections during a telephone conversation with Bulgarian Foreign\nMinister Velislava Petrova-Chamoava. Araqchi stated that Sofia\u2019s\napproval of the US request to station military aircraft at the Bezmer\nAir Base is equivalent to facilitating aggression against Iran.<\/p>\n
He asserted that the decision is unacceptable and contradicts the\nlong-standing friendly relations between Iran and Bulgaria. Iran further\nreminded that nations allowing their territory to be used for US\nmilitary operations against Tehran could potentially face\nconsequences.<\/p>\n
In addition to Bulgaria, Araqchi also contacted Cypriot Foreign\nMinister Constantinos Kombos. During this discussion, he emphasised the\nimportance of ensuring that foreign military bases in Cyprus are not\nused to launch operations against Iran.<\/p>\n
This warning follows the Bulgarian parliament\u2019s approval last week\nfor the temporary deployment of up to eight US KC-135 aerial refuelling\naircraft and approximately 250 military personnel at the Bezmer Air\nBase. The Bulgarian government maintained that it will not station\noffensive weapons at the base and emphasised that the decision does not\nmake Bulgaria a party to military operations.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cyprus hosts two British military bases, including RAF\nAkrotiri, which was targeted by Iranian drone attacks in early March,\nshortly after Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran.<\/p>\n
At the onset of the conflict, the UK, another NATO member, approved\nUS requests to use its military bases for defensive operations against\nIranian missiles located in storage or launch sites. However, London\nlater clarified that RAF Akrotiri was not included in the agreement for\nbase usage.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the new British administration maintained its defence\ncooperation with the US in July. This move triggered a warning from the\nIranian Revolutionary Guard, requesting that the UK refrain from\nfacilitating Washington\u2019s military operations against Tehran.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s latest statements indicate that the nation is increasing\ndiplomatic pressure on NATO member states that provide logistical\nsupport or military facilities to the US amidst the ongoing\nconflict.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-iran-conflict-widens-as-tehran-issues-warning-to-nato-1785498856", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }