Iran has issued fresh warnings to Cyprus and Bulgaria, urging both countries not to allow their military facilities to be used by the United States for potential operations against the Islamic Republic.
The warning came from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as Tehran intensified its rhetoric toward countries hosting or facilitating U.S. military activities in the region.
According to The Times of Israel, during a phone conversation with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Araghchi stressed the importance of ensuring that foreign military bases on Cypriot territory are not used for operations targeting Iran.
Cyprus hosts two major British military bases, including the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri. Earlier this year, the base was targeted by an Iranian drone following Israeli and U.S. strikes that marked the escalation of the conflict with Tehran.
In a separate call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araghchi urged Sofia to reconsider its decision to allow the temporary deployment of U.S. military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base.
The Iranian foreign minister argued that permitting U.S. aircraft supporting military operations amounts to facilitating hostile actions against Iran and is inconsistent with the traditionally friendly relations between Tehran and Sofia.
Tehran has repeatedly warned that any country allowing its territory to be used for U.S. military operations against Iran could face consequences.
Last week, Bulgaria’s parliament approved the temporary deployment of up to eight U.S. KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and as many as 250 military personnel at Bezmer Air Base.
The Bulgarian government has maintained that no offensive weapons systems will be stationed at the base and insisted that the decision does not make Bulgaria a participant in military operations.
