site.btaUPDATED Caretaker Defence Minister: Bulgaria Cannot Be a Direct Target for Iran

Bulgaria cannot be a direct target for Iran, caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said after a meeting of the Security Council convened earlier in the day by caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov in connection with the escalating military actions in the Middle East.

Zapryanov explained that there are no striking assets at the Novo Selo base, the Graf Ignatievo airport, or any other sites that could be used, planned, or promised for use in this operation.

"There is no direct military threat to Bulgaria. The country is not participating in this conflict," Zapryanov said.

"We believe it is not possible for us to be targeted as a state actively participating in such an operation," he added.

When asked whether the ten American tanker aircraft at Sofia Airport for training purposes pose a potential threat, Zapryanov replied that they are for training and there is no request to change their status.

From the point of view of missile defence, measures are taken within the framework of NATO and are guaranteed within the framework of collective defence for Bulgaria. We are not changing the status, but that does not mean that there is no missile and air defence cover for the country, added Zapryanov.