site.btaMedia Review: June 23

US STRIKES AGAINST IRAN 

The US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the escalating situation in the conflict between Israel and Iran in view of this recent US involvement is covered by all Bulgarian major media outlets. The topic dominates across the board,

Dnevnik publishes the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry’s position regarding the developments in the Middle East, which reads: The Republic of Bulgaria emphasizes that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear program for military purposes. “We believe that preserving the international rule of law and the mechanisms for arms control and non-proliferation is of utmost importance. In the interest of maintaining regional and global stability, and in line with all findings and recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as other international organizations and agreements under the non-proliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction, we call for de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation,” the statement further says. 

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Bulgarian National Radio: Natural gas and crude oil supplies for Bulgaria are secured, and there is no cause for concern, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said Sunday in an interview on bTV, commenting on recent US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.

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Bulgarian National TV: A day after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear targets, Donald Trump hinted at “regime change” for the ayatollahs in a social media post. A geopolitical earthquake is unfolding after Trump’s intervention in the Iran-Israel conflict.
The strikes continued overnight. Tehran has threatened to retaliate. 

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“Iranian Parliament Approves Closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” reads Dnevnik.bg’s main story headline. 

The Iranian parliament has voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, Press TV reported. However, the final decision lies in the hands of the country’s “primary security body,” most likely the National Security Council.

If implemented, the move would threaten oil trade in the Persian Gulf — a key global source of fossil fuels. This possibility was not ruled out by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a press conference in Istanbul Sunday.

Around 20% of global oil and gas trade passes through the strait.

According to unofficial reports, over the past two weeks, Israel allegedly attacked a key Iranian military base in the Bandar Abbas area. It remains unclear whether any damage occurred, what was targeted, and whether Tehran’s capacity to block traffic through the strait has been affected.

General Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, stated — according to Samaa.tv — that the strategic waterway “will be closed within the next few hours.”
“The Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed if aggression against our sovereignty continues. Iran will not allow any violation of its territorial integrity without a firm response,” he added.

An adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, declared that Tehran must “as soon as possible” close the Strait of Hormuz to American, British, German, and French ships.

During the parliamentary session, a hardline MP warned that “all options are on the table,” including withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

24 Chasa and Trud also cover the risk of the Strait of Hormuz being closed by Iran.

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Mediapool’s main headline reads “UN Security Council Meets on Iran’s Demand in Because of Trump’s Strikes”. The e-zine quotes Reuters as saying that The UN Security Council will meet later on Sunday. The session was scheduled after the United States joined the Israeli attack on Iran, striking the country’s main nuclear facilities overnight with massive bunker-busting bombs, Reuters reported, as quoted by Mediapool.bg.

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Darik: The United States has ordered its diplomatic staff in Iraq and Lebanon to leave those countries. The move comes after the U.S. carried out strikes on nuclear facilities in neighboring Iran. Additional diplomatic personnel have already left Iraq as part of ongoing efforts to “streamline operations,” a U.S. official told AFP.

In Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy announced that on June 22, the State Department ordered family members of embassy staff and U.S. government personnel to leave the country.

A statement on the Embassy’s website cited the “unstable and unpredictable security situation in the region.

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Dnevnik: A new public opinion survey released today, ahead of this week’s NATO summit, reveals strong and growing support across Europe for higher defense spending, major rearmament programs, and the reintroduction of mandatory military service — a reflection of shifting public attitudes as the continent prepares for a more unstable world. 

The report, prepared for the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) by leading polling agencies YouGov, Datapraxis, and Norstat, surveyed citizens in 12 European countries: Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.

Key findings include:
50% of respondents support increasing defense budgets, with only 24% opposed;
59% would back continued military support for Ukraine even if the U.S. reduces its commitment;
54% support developing an independent European nuclear deterrent not reliant on the United States.
The data show Europeans remain committed to Ukraine’s defense and are prepared to resist any pressure to reduce support or lift sanctions against Russia — even if U.S. policy shifts after the 2024 presidential election.

Despite rising anti-American sentiment in parts of Europe, many citizens still see the U.S. as a crucial partner for nuclear deterrence and military presence on the continent, with optimism that future damage to the transatlantic alliance can be repaired.

The ECFR analysis, authored by Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard, argues that the prospect of a second Trump presidency is already reshaping European politics. The current climate is giving mainstream political leaders an opening to move beyond defending the status quo and to “rediscover a European identity for a revolutionary new world.”

Titled “Trump’s European Revolution: How the U.S. President is reshaping European politics,” the report suggests that Europeans are increasingly recognizing the need to prepare for a world in a state of persistent conflict — marking a fundamental shift from Europe’s former role as a “peace project” to one that is rapidly preparing for defense and deterrence.

Public opinion in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the UK is now among the strongest in supporting the idea that Europe must take primary responsibility for its own security and defense — no longer depending exclusively on Washington-backed guarantees.

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Capital says that global markets remained calm after the attacks on Iran over the weekend. 

ECONOMY – EUROZONE ACCESSION 

Duma leads with a TV appearance of Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Atanas Zafirov on Bulgaria ON AIR. 

“As of January 1, 2026, one of the strategic goals set by this government will be achieved — namely, Bulgaria’s full accession to the eurozone. In effect, this will complete our country’s overall process of integration into the broader European political family,” Zafirov said.

According to him, entering the eurozone as the poorest member country is a negative legacy borne by all past governments. However, it also presents a challenge — by using the tools of the eurozone and through prudent and predictable governance, this trend can be reversed.

“By replacing the lev with the euro, we will neither become poorer nor richer overnight, but we will create the conditions and opportunities for the Bulgarian people to feel the benefits of being part of this wealthiest European family,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

To dispel certain speculations, he emphasized that from the very beginning of this government, the socialists have declared their support for this strategic goal — and they also expect their coalition partners to support the 100 objectives and policies laid out in the BSP–United Left governance program.

“As a political force, we have never been against the euro. BSP is the party that signed Bulgaria’s accession treaty and the party that brought the country into the EU. Even back then, it was clear that we had to commit to adopting the single European currency. We have always said this should happen when Bulgaria is ready,” Zafirov reminded.

He added that the readiness assessment for Bulgaria comes from European partners — the European Commission and the European Central Bank — whose statements are so clear and unequivocal that there is no room left for speculation. Political speculations, he argued, aim to sow unrest and uncertainty, especially now that the political crisis has ended with the formation of the government

ESCAPED LARGE FELINE PREDATOR 

The hunt for the loose large black feline predator in the Shumen plateau continues and remains a hot topic. 

Dnevnik: The chances of capturing the predator alive are slim, local authorities in Shumen said at a press briefing. 
Nikolay Krastev, a specialist from the Mazalat State Hunting Reserve, added that the animal in question is likely a black leopard, judging by the tracks found. He also clarified — in response to media reports — that “a black puma is an extremely rare species and barely documented.”

“This is a predator that is very cautious, hunts at night, and most likely inhabits the rocky areas of this region,” Krastev explained, noting that due to the animal’s wariness, it would be difficult to trap it. 

The briefing also revealed that the animal was raised in captivity, which makes its behavior more unpredictable, as it is not afraid of humans.
“If cornered or provoked, it could be dangerous to people. It is considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa when pursued,” officials added. 

Georgi Gendov, head of the Shumen police, stated that all reports are being investigated and that authorities are working to build a profile of a potential owner.