Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned European countries not to provide bases for possible US military operations against Iran. In a phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araghchi described Sofia's permission for the temporary deployment of US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base as 'facilitating aggression against Iran'.
The Iranian minister stated that this step was unacceptable and contrary to the traditional friendly relations between the two countries. Iran had previously warned countries that allow their territory to be used for US military operations against it that they could 'face consequences'.
Despite Iran's objections, the Bulgarian parliament last week approved the temporary deployment of up to 8 KC-135 tanker aircraft and up to 250 personnel to Bezmer Air Base. The Sofia government stated that no offensive weapons would be deployed and that this step does not make Bulgaria a party to military operations.
Araghchi also held a phone call with Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos. During the call, he stressed the importance of not using foreign military bases on the island against Iran.
Cyprus hosts two sovereign bases belonging to the United Kingdom. One of these, RAF Akrotiri, was struck by an Iranian drone in early March, a few days after Israel and the US launched an attack on Iran.
At the start of the war, the United Kingdom had accepted a US request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage or on launch pads. The new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July, continued this arrangement. Following these developments, Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned the UK not to facilitate US military operations against Iran.
