site.bta Iran Says Bulgarian Authorities Must Bear Responsibility for Decision to Host US Air Force

Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday at a press conference that “the Bulgarian leadership must take full responsibility for the dangerous decision to host a US aerial refuelling aircraft at their military bases,” the Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

Baghaei noted that Tehran was aware the Bulgarian State had recently permitted the US Air Force to station aircraft at the Sofia Airport in support of their war against Iran. He added that such actions "are inconsistent with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and the foundations of international law."

According to Baghaei, the decision could be interpreted as an act of aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314. He stressed Tehran was cognizant that the Bulgarian people as well as a significant number of MP’s in the Bulgarian Parliament countered this decision. "Every principled person knows that the military actions initiated by the USA and the 'Zionist regime' against Iran are unlawful and that they (US and Israel) have committed numerous military crimes”, he underscored.

This statement came after the Bulgarian Parliament authorized on July 22 the presence of up to eight US Air Force KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft and up to 250 US military personnel at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 to October 1, 2026, in support of US operations in the Middle East. The parliamentary Defence Committee had approved the proposal on July 21. In response to the draft decision approval on July 22, Baghaei warned Bulgaria not to permit the usage of its territories for military operations against Iran.