site.btaCaretaker Defence Minister Reiterates Bulgaria Is Not Participating in Military Operations in Middle East

There is no change in the activities of the Bulgarian Air Force and in the presence of US forces in Bulgaria, as the country is not participating in operations related to the tension between Israel, the US, and Iran, said caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov during a briefing at the Council of Ministers on Tuesday. 

He stressed that the activities carried out are related to training and the fulfilment of commitments within NATO and do not constitute participation in specific military operations in the Middle East region. The Defence Minister stressed that the Secretary General of the Alliance and the Supreme Commander have stated that NATO is not participating in such an operation, and Bulgaria confirms the same position.

Zapryanov said that there is no reason for Bulgaria to be targeted as a Member State of the Alliance. He recalled that in the event of an attack, Article 5 of NATO, which provides for collective defense, would be triggered.

The Minister also pointed out that the United States had not made any additional requests beyond the commitments already agreed and reported in connection with the forward presence since mid-February. He added that the Alliance's strategic command had given assurances that, in the event of a missile threat against a member state, missile defense would be activated in accordance with the procedures under Article 5, which provides the necessary guarantees for the country's security.