Sofia dismisses Iranian threat over US refuelling planes
Tehran has threatened Bulgaria over a proposed deployment of US refuelling aircraft, dragging a routine infrastructure shift into the crosshairs of Middle Eastern tensions and raising security stakes on NATO's eastern flank.
Iran has directly warned Bulgaria that allowing its territory to host US military aircraft would make Sofia complicit in "aggression and war crimes". The threat from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei targets a Bulgarian government proposal to temporarily move up to eight US aerial refuelling aircraft to Bezmer Air Base in the country's southeast.
The diplomatic clash originated from a domestic infrastructure decision rather than a newly agreed military deployment. The refuelling aircraft, which are used to extend the operational range of fighter jets by supplying fuel mid-flight, had been stationed at the civilian Sofia Airport. They were asked to leave that civilian facility at the end of June, leading Washington to renew its request and prompting Sofia to propose shifting them to the military base at Bezmer.
Both the Bulgarian and US governments have moved to contain the fallout, framing the aircraft relocation as a routine, defensive measure unconnected to the Middle East. US European Command underscored its posture, stating: “The United States maintains regional defensive capabilities across NATO’s eastern flank, including in Bulgaria, and works closely with the Bulgarian government and our allies and partners throughout the broader region.” The command added: “We remain vigilant and prepared to counter any potential threats.”
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry has firmly rejected Tehran's framing of the situation. “It is out of the question for any military operations in the Middle East to be carried out from Bulgarian territory,” the ministry said. Beyond defending its sovereignty, the Bulgarian government urged both Iran and the United States to stop military operations entirely and return to negotiations aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire.
This marks the second time Tehran has escalated the issue with Sofia, having sent a similar diplomatic note in April cautioning against the use of Bulgarian airports for operations targeting Iran. The renewed warning follows the broader collapse of a temporary ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. For European governments, the incident serves as a reminder that even passive logistical support on NATO's eastern flank can draw direct threats when global tensions spike.
