Iran Issues Formal Warning to Bulgaria Against Hosting United States Military Operations at Sofia Airport

Iran formally protests U.S. military refueling in Bulgaria, warning of "necessary measures" as Sofia maintains it is not a participant in the ongoing war.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 9:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

Diplomatic Friction Over NATO Forward Deployments

Tehran has intensified its diplomatic pressure on Eastern Europe, specifically targeting Bulgaria for its role in hosting American military assets. A formal protest note, dated March 18 and recently disclosed by Bulgarian lawmakers, reveals that Iran has warned the NATO member state against allowing its civilian infrastructure to be used for combat support. This development underscores the growing difficulty for European nations attempting to balance their treaty obligations to the United States with the risks of being drawn into the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Bulgaria Maintains Neutrality Amid Refueling Claims

In a direct response to the Iranian protest, Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov asserted that Bulgaria remains at peace and continues to maintain intact diplomatic relations with Tehran. While acknowledging the presence of U.S. military refueling planes at Sofia’s Vasil Levski airport, Raikov clarified that no combat aircraft are being loaded for active military operations over Bulgarian territory. The government’s stance is that these assets are strictly part of a pre-existing NATO forward deployment strategy rather than a direct contribution to the current air campaign against Iranian targets.

The Strategic Threat to Iranian Sovereignty

The Iranian diplomatic note was explicit in its rhetoric, stating that the Islamic Republic reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its national interests in accordance with international law. By framing the use of Bulgarian airports as a violation of sovereignty, Iran is attempting to create a "palatable risk" for European governments that provide logistical support to the U.S. military. This warning is particularly significant given the Strait of Hormuz crisis, as any European facilitation of the American air bridge could be interpreted by Tehran as an act of indirect aggression.