Despite warnings from Iran, Bulgaria has permitted the deployment of US military aircraft and personnel to the country. The Defense Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament has approved the temporary deployment of US tanker aircraft and military personnel to the Bezmer Air Base.
The committee accepted the Council of Ministers' draft decision, which allows for the deployment of up to 8 US tanker aircraft and 250 US soldiers to the Bezmer Air Base to support operations in the Middle East.
Reports in the Bulgarian press stated that the US requested the deployment to take place between July 24 and October 1.
Warning from Iran
Iran warned Bulgaria not to allow its territory or facilities to be used to support US military operations against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that any contribution to the planning or execution of such operations would amount to "complicity in acts of aggression and war crimes." Baghaei called on the General Assembly of the Bulgarian Parliament to reject the deployment proposal.
On the other hand, under the Bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement signed between NATO member Bulgaria and the US in 2006, the Bezmer Air Base was designated as a facility for joint use with the US military.
News Source: 12punto
