site.btaRomania Allows US to Use Its Bases Amid Iran Conflict: Reactions in Bucharest

Romania’s Parliament Wednesday approved a US request to use Romanian bases in the context of the conflict with Iran. The decision was first cleared by the Supreme Council of National Defence and then sent to Parliament, where the session was marked by clashes and jeers from the opposition.

The measure, passed with 272 votes in favor, 18 against, and five abstentions, allows temporary deployment of US refueling aircraft, surveillance equipment, and satellite communication systems in Romania. The deployment of military personnel and equipment will be possible for 90 days, and any extension would require new parliamentary approval.

According to the state news agency Agerpres, US forces and equipment will be stationed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu base near Constanța and at Campia Turzii in Cluj County. Around 400–500 military personnel will accompany the equipment.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan said it would be defensive equipment that would enhance Romania’s security. "I assure Romanians that there is no reason for concern," he said.

Romania: A reliable partner

All parties in the four-party governing coalition supported the US request. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan of the National Liberal Party (NLP) told Parliament the decision is in the country’s and citizens’ best interests and underlined Romania’s reliability as an ally.

Defense Minister Radu Miruta of the Save Romania Union said, "This is not about dragging Romania into war, making it a target, or weakening it. What is put to the vote today is an increase in security."

In a statement, NLP deputy Alexandru Muraru highlighted Romania’s strategic role on NATO’s eastern flank, calling the approval "a strong declaration of our partnership with Washington and a projection of the free world’s strength in a region beset by revisionism". 

Social Democratic Party leader Sorin Grindeanu added that true sovereignty comes not from isolation but through stability and strong alliances. "We face an unprecedented international security situation. The conflict in the Middle East overlaps with the ongoing war in Ukraine. Romania, as a member of both NATO and the EU, has both the right and responsibility to actively strengthen regional security," he said.

Grindeanu described the approval as a "natural and necessary gesture", signaling that Romania is a serious partner capable of contributing effectively to its own security and that of its allies.

Opposition: "We Want Peace, Not War"

The leader of the largest opposition party, Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, slammed the decision. Members of AUR and other opposition MPs blew vuvuzelas, heckled coalition members, and displayed banners reading “We want peace, not war,” streaming their actions live on social media.

Simion questioned whether the deployment is truly defensive, stating that while his party supports the US strategic partnership, it has a duty "to protect Romanians from war".

Other opposition parties, including the Youth Party (ROT) and SOS Romania, echoed concerns about insufficient information and the risk of military entanglement.

What analysts say

Foreign policy analysts told Adevarul that Romania’s approval of temporary US forces and defensive equipment is a natural step in the context of its strategic partnership with Washington, with minimal security risks.

Analyst Iulian Chifu said the move aligns with existing agreements granting US forces access to Romanian territory, emphasizing that the deployment is not intended for attacks from Romania. Chifu added that the decision will strengthen relations with the US.

International editor Cristina Chilaku of Digi24 noted, "A strategic partnership is tested in moments like this - not in times of peace. Romania gains security guarantees regarding Russia, major investments in military infrastructure, missile defense systems, and intelligence access. The US now seeks logistics support for a legitimate military operation, and a refusal would have sent a lasting signal in Washington."

Military expert Sandu Valentin Mateiu cautioned that deploying combat aircraft for Middle East missions could make Romania a target for Iranian missiles. Iran has threatened to attack any country whose territory is used for strikes against Iran or whose airspace is crossed by aircraft bombing Iran. He also emphasized the importance of Romania’s relationship with the US.

Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, who also served as Romania’s foreign minister and ambassador to the US, believes the parliamentary decision was correct and said strengthens the US-Romania strategic partnership, wrote Agerpres.

In a social media post, former President Traian Basescu commented that Washington now needs the Kogalniceanu base and that Romania’s prior agreement allows US access. "Trump is looking for allies. Having gotten himself trapped in the oil war with Iran, Donald Trump realized he might need Romania, after he conspicuously withdrew most of his troops from Kogalniceanu in 2025, much to the delight of his friend Vladimir Putin, and then simply humiliated Romania in Munich through his trumpet Vance [referring to the speech by Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference in 2025]. Today, it seems that the US needs the Kogalniceanu base. Very well, we have an ‘ACCESS AGREEMENT,’ signed in Bucharest on December 6, 2005, and entered into force on June 21, 2006. Under this agreement, the American military will be granted access to Kogalniceanu. And this is not because Trump needs it, but because our ally, America, needs it,” wrote Traian Basescu.

The Iran conflict has highlighted differences within Europe over how closely countries should align with US policy. European leaders have generally called for restraint and diplomacy, warning that escalation could destabilize the Middle East, disrupt energy markets, and trigger a crisis in Europe. Many governments face the challenge of balancing long-term security ties with the US against concerns over potential conflict escalation, comments Hotnews.ro.