Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova assured her Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that no direct military operations connected to the conflict in the Middle East will be conducted from Bulgarian territory, despite the deployment of US military aircraft in the country.
During a telephone conversation on Thursday, Petrova emphasized that the presence of US aerial refueling aircraft in Bulgaria does not represent a shift in Sofia's policy toward Iran. She said the deployment follows Parliament's decision, which was adopted in accordance with Bulgaria's Constitution and national legislation after an official request from the United States and reflects the country's strategic commitments to its ally.
“No direct military actions related to the conflict in the Middle East will be carried out from Bulgarian territory,” Petrova told Araghchi, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The Bulgarian foreign minister also reiterated Sofia's longstanding position in favor of an immediate end to the fighting and a return to negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and creating the conditions for a lasting political settlement.
During the talks, Petrova underlined the importance Bulgaria attaches to its traditionally good relations with Iran, describing them as being based on mutual trust and years of cooperation. Both ministers expressed readiness to continue strengthening bilateral dialogue and developing relations between the two countries.
