site.btaForeign Ministry Receives Diplomatic Note from Iranian Embassy over Possible Deployment of US Refuelling Aircraft at Bezmer Air Base

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it had received a diplomatic note from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sofia concerning the possible deployment of US Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base.

The note conveyed Iran's position on the sensitive issue through the established diplomatic channel, the Ministry said.

"Bulgaria is not undertaking any hostile actions against Iran in fulfilment of its treaty obligations to its ally, the United States. It is out of the question for any military operations in the Middle East to be conducted from Bulgarian territory," the Foreign Ministry said.

The Ministry added that it hopes the parties to the conflict will soon recommit to de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities, as they had agreed to do only recently.

"Bulgaria calls for an immediate end to the hostilities and the resumption of talks on a ceasefire that would make it possible to reach a lasting agreement bringing the conflict to an end," the statement said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Parliament's Defence Committee approved a draft decision authorizing the presence in Bulgaria of US military aircraft and personnel in support of operations in the Middle East. The proposal is due to be put to a vote in the plenary chamber. The Council of Ministers submitted the draft decision to Parliament on July 20.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned Bulgaria against allowing the United States to "use its territory for military operations against Iran", Reuters reported, citing Iranian media, including IRNA.