Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the governments of Bulgaria and Cyprus not to allow the use of their bases in potential US military operations against Iran. According to Iranian state media, Araghchi, in a phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, described Sofia's permission for the temporary deployment of US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base as 'facilitating aggression against Iran.'
Araghchi stated that this step was unacceptable and contrary to the traditional friendly relations between the two countries, recalling that Iran had previously warned countries that allow their territory to be used against it that they could face consequences.
Bulgaria's parliament last week approved the temporary deployment of up to 8 KC-135 tanker aircraft and up to 250 personnel at Bezmer Base, despite Iran's objections. The Sofia government stated that no offensive weapons would be deployed and that this step does not make Bulgaria a party to military operations.
The Iranian Foreign Minister also held a phone call with Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos. In this call, Araghchi stressed the importance of preventing foreign military bases on the island from being used against Iran.
Cyprus hosts two sovereign bases belonging to the United Kingdom. One of these bases, RAF Akrotiri, was struck by an Iranian drone in early March, a few days after Israel and the US launched an attack on Iran.
At the start of the war, the UK accepted the US request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage or on launchers. The new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July, continued this policy. Following these developments, Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned the UK not to facilitate US military operations against Iran.
