Iran has issued fresh warnings to Cyprus and Bulgaria, urging both countries not to allow military bases on their territory to be used for attacks against Tehran, as tensions over United States military operations in the region continue to rise.
According to the Times of Israel, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised the issue during a telephone conversation with Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, stressing that foreign military bases in Cyprus should not be used for operations targeting Iran.
Cyprus hosts two sovereign British military bases, including the RAF base at Akrotiri. Earlier this year, the base was struck by an Iranian drone days after Israeli and US attacks marked the beginning of the conflict with Iran.
Warning over Bulgarian air base
During a separate phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Tsamova, Araghchi urged Sofia to reconsider its decision to allow the temporary deployment of US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base.
The Iranian foreign minister said approving the deployment of aircraft intended to support US military operations amounted to facilitating hostile actions against Iran and was incompatible with the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries.
Tehran has repeatedly warned that countries allowing their territory to be used for US military operations against Iran could face consequences.
Bulgaria defends decision
Last week, Bulgaria’s parliament approved the temporary deployment of up to eight US KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft and up to 250 military personnel at Bezmer Air Base despite objections from Tehran.
The Bulgarian government has maintained that no offensive weapons systems will be stationed at the base and insisted that the decision does not make the country a participant in military operations.
Also read: Saudi Arabia’s dilemma as it tries to stay out of US-Iran war
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