Iran Warns Bulgaria Against U.S. Military Use of Airports

In March 2023, Iranian authorities issued a formal warning to Bulgaria, a NATO member, regarding the potential use of its airports by U.S. military aircraft involved in operations related to Iran. The warning was conveyed through a note from the Iranian government, which expressed concerns over U.S. military refueling planes stationed at Bulgaria's Vasil Levski airport. Iran's foreign ministry stated that it "reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and national interests in accordance with international law."

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Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov confirmed the receipt of the Iranian note and emphasized that Bulgaria is not engaged in any military conflict. He stated, "No combat aircraft are being loaded over Bulgaria to participate in military operations," and reiterated that Bulgaria maintains diplomatic relations with Iran. Raikov also clarified that the U.S. military planes reported to have landed at Vasil Levski airport were part of NATO's forward deployment strategy, and that the Bulgarian parliament has not approved any military actions in the Strait of Hormuz region.

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The warning from Iran comes amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly concerning U.S. military operations. Several European nations have expressed reluctance to support U.S. military initiatives against Iran. Notably, Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. military flights, Italy has denied access to its Sigonella base, and France has blocked overflight permissions for U.S.-Israel weapons flights. These actions reflect a broader hesitance among European allies regarding direct involvement in military operations against Iran.

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Critics of U.S. military presence in Europe argue that such deployments could escalate tensions with Iran and undermine regional stability. The Iranian government has consistently voiced its opposition to U.S. military activities in the vicinity, framing them as violations of its sovereignty.

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While Bulgaria's government maintains that no combat operations are being conducted from its territory, the presence of U.S. military aircraft has raised questions about the nature of NATO's activities in the region. There is a lack of clarity regarding the specific missions of these aircraft and the extent of their operations in relation to Iran.

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• “reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and national interests in accordance with international law.” — Iranian Foreign Ministry

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• “No combat aircraft are being loaded over Bulgaria to participate in military operations,” — Marin Raikov, Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister

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This situation underscores the delicate balance Bulgaria must maintain between its commitments to NATO and its diplomatic relations with Iran, as well as the broader implications for U.S.-European relations in the context of military operations in the Middle East.

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