US-Iran Conflict Widens as Tehran Issues Warning to NATO
Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated once again. The Iranian government has issued a warning to the NATO member Bulgaria, urging the cancellation of its decision to allow US military aircraft to use the Bezmer Air Base to support Washington’s military operations.
Citing Reuters, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed these objections during a telephone conversation with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamoava. Araqchi stated that Sofia’s approval of the US request to station military aircraft at the Bezmer Air Base is equivalent to facilitating aggression against Iran.
He asserted that the decision is unacceptable and contradicts the long-standing friendly relations between Iran and Bulgaria. Iran further reminded that nations allowing their territory to be used for US military operations against Tehran could potentially face consequences.
In addition to Bulgaria, Araqchi also contacted Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. During this discussion, he emphasised the importance of ensuring that foreign military bases in Cyprus are not used to launch operations against Iran.
This warning follows the Bulgarian parliament’s approval last week for the temporary deployment of up to eight US KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft and approximately 250 military personnel at the Bezmer Air Base. The Bulgarian government maintained that it will not station offensive weapons at the base and emphasised that the decision does not make Bulgaria a party to military operations.
Meanwhile, Cyprus hosts two British military bases, including RAF Akrotiri, which was targeted by Iranian drone attacks in early March, shortly after Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran.
At the onset of the conflict, the UK, another NATO member, approved US requests to use its military bases for defensive operations against Iranian missiles located in storage or launch sites. However, London later clarified that RAF Akrotiri was not included in the agreement for base usage.
Nevertheless, the new British administration maintained its defence cooperation with the US in July. This move triggered a warning from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, requesting that the UK refrain from facilitating Washington’s military operations against Tehran.
Iran’s latest statements indicate that the nation is increasing diplomatic pressure on NATO member states that provide logistical support or military facilities to the US amidst the ongoing conflict.