Iran Warns Bulgaria Against Hosting US Tanker Jets, Calls It 'Partner in Aggression'

Tensions between Iran and Bulgaria have escalated following Bulgaria's consideration of a US proposal to station American tanker aircraft at a Bulgarian airbase. Iran issued a direct warning to Bulgaria, stating that approving the deployment would make Sofia a "partner in aggression and war crimes." The warning was delivered by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bakaai to the official IRNA news agency.

The Bulgarian Defense Committee has already approved the proposal, which would allow up to eight US tanker planes and hundreds of American troops to be stationed in Bulgaria. However, the final decision requires approval from the full Bulgarian Parliament. The Defense Minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, indicated that no final decision has been made yet and that the government is still reviewing intelligence assessments and awaiting further details from the United States, including fuel supply logistics.

The issue has sparked internal political debate in Bulgaria. The pro-Russian opposition party Vazrazhdane warned that hosting US military assets would turn Bulgaria into an active participant in the conflict. Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Bulgaria party abstained from voting, citing insufficient intelligence risk assessments. Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova emphasized that hosting the aircraft does not make Bulgaria a party to the war.

In response to Iran's warning, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry clarified that Bulgaria is not taking any hostile actions against Iran and that no military operations in the Middle East will be conducted from Bulgarian territory. Sofia also called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations to end the conflict. The backdrop to these developments is the ongoing US preparations for renewed conflict with Iran, with US tanker aircraft having previously been stationed in Bulgaria during earlier rounds of fighting.

Summary: Iran has warned Bulgaria that allowing US tanker aircraft on its soil would implicate it in aggression against Iran, as Bulgaria debates the US proposal amid internal political divisions and calls for peace.

Points: - Iran warns Bulgaria that hosting US tanker jets would make it a "partner in aggression and war crimes." - Bulgaria's Defense Committee approved the proposal, but full parliamentary approval is pending. - Bulgaria awaits further US details on logistics before making a final decision. - The issue has caused political divisions, with pro-Russian opposition opposing the move. - Bulgaria insists it will not conduct military actions against Iran from its territory and calls for ceasefire talks.

Topic: security Israel_relevant: false Entities: {"people":["Esmail Bakaai","Dimitar Stoyanov","Iliana Yotova"],"organizations":["Bulgarian Defense Committee","Bulgarian Parliament","Bulgarian Foreign Ministry","Vazrazhdane","Democratic Bulgaria","IRNA"],"places":["Bulgaria","Iran","Sofia","United States","Middle East"]}