Iran issued formal diplomatic warnings on Thursday to Cyprus and Bulgaria against allowing the United States military to utilize airbases within their territories for offensive operations against the Islamic Republic. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi communicated directly with diplomatic leadership in both European nations, emphasizing that any government providing base access for foreign military actions targeting Tehran will be held accountable for the operational consequences.
During a telephone conference with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Araghchi demanded that authorities prevent foreign military assets from operating out of British sovereign installations on the island, including RAF Akrotiri. According to diplomatic statements released by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Araghchi affirmed that granting military access to foreign forces for hostile actions constitutes direct participation in acts of aggression.
Minister Kombos responded by clarifying that the government of Cyprus received formal assurances from British authorities confirming that sovereign base installations will not be deployed for offensive operations against third parties, including Iran. Great Britain maintains two sovereign base areas on the island, housing key military airfields and electronic monitoring facilities.
In a separate diplomatic exchange with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Tchambova, Araghchi urged Sofia to reconsider its decision granting American military aircraft access to Bezmer Air Base for Middle East deployment operations. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Araghchi urged the Bulgarian government to review its operational permissions as an urgent priority.
"Iran will not hesitate to defend its national interests and its security against any aggression or hostile action," Araghchi stated during official communications. He warned that any regional or international actor participating in hostile measures against Iranian sovereignty will bear full responsibility for subsequent outcomes.
The diplomatic friction with Sofia intensified after the Bulgarian Parliament approved a government motion earlier this month granting US forces permission to utilize Bezmer Air Base to support regional security initiatives. Bulgarian officials maintained that the access agreement does not signify participation in an active war against Iran.
According to diplomatic updates provided to REUTERS, Tehran's warnings to European partners follow similar communication channels opened with Arab Gulf states regarding US basing rights across the region.
