Bulgaria approves stationing of US tanker aircraft despite Iran warning
Parliament Decision and International Reactions
By Alex Lefkowitz
Parliament Approval and Government Statements
SOFIA, July 22 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's parliament on Wednesday approved the temporary stationing of U.S. tanker aircraft at its Bezmer military base despite Iran's warning that the move would constitute complicity in "aggression and war crimes", a charge that Sofia dismissed.
Assurances from Defence Minister
"No offensive weapons systems of any type will be deployed on the territory of Bulgaria," Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told lawmakers. "Their temporary presence does not make Bulgaria a party to the military actions," he said.
Security Concerns and Local Opposition
According to Stoyanov, Washington promised to "minimise the risks to our national security". Five mayors of towns around the Bezmer base, about 260 km (160 miles) southeast of Sofia, had filed complaints against the plan citing security concerns.
Details of the Deployment
Scope and Duration
The government's proposal to allow the stationing of up to eight KC-135 aircraft on the EU and NATO member's territory was approved by 136-13 votes, with two abstentions.
Last week, Washington requested the deployment of the aircraft, and up to 250 military personnel, from July 24 to October 1, based on an agreement governing the joint use of military facilities, Stoyanov said.
Bulgaria's Position on International Commitments
"Bulgaria does not take any hostile actions against any other country. We are fulfilling our contractual commitments with the U.S.," he added.
Iran's Response and Regional Tensions
Iran's Warning to Bulgaria
The plan prompted a warning from Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Tuesday against allowing the U.S. to use Bulgaria's territory for military operations against Iran, which he said would make Sofia "an accomplice of aggressors and lawbreakers".
Escalation Between U.S. and Iran
The U.S. and Iran have intensified strikes since an interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago unravelled, raising the possibility of an all-out war.
International Cooperation and Security Measures
U.S. European Command (EUCOM) said in a statement on Wednesday it will continue to cooperate with Bulgaria on security, monitoring and countering any potential threats.
(Reporting by Alex Lefkowitz; Writing by Antonis Pothitos and Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Andrei Khalip)
