'Bulgaria is not at war,' says minister, after Iran warns Bulgaria not to let US use airports

Record ID: 2372367

  • Title: 'Bulgaria is not at war,' says minister, after Iran warns Bulgaria not to let US use airports
  • Date: 1st April 2026
  • Summary: BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI (APRIL 1, 2026) (REUTERS) WITNESS SHOWING WHERE PROJECTILE LANDED SPENT ORDNANCE ON GROUND HOLE LEFT BY EXPLODED ORDNANCE EXPLODED ORDNANCE AFFECTED RESIDENT, LÉANDRE NDAYIZEYE, SHOWING DAMAGE TO HIS HOUSE DAMAGED CEILING (SOUNDBITE) (Kirundi) AFFECTED RESIDENT, LÉANDRE NDAYIZEYE, SAYING: "We started to hear explosions. The workers fled, while others
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Bulgaria Europe European Union Iran Middle East NATO United States aircraft planes
  • Location: SOFIA, BULGARIA
  • City: SOFIA, BULGARIA
  • Country: Bulgaria
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA002926701042026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Iranian authorities have warned NATO member Bulgaria not to let the U.S. use its airports for planes participating in military operations in Iran, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday (April 1).
        Earlier on Wednesday, Stanislav Balabanov, a deputy with the "There is Such People" party, showed a note from March 18 in which the Iranian government protested against U.S. military refuelling planes parked at Bulgaria's Vasil Levski airport.
         In the note, Iran said it "reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and national interests in accordance with international law."
         Later on Wednesday, in a statement to reporters, Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov confirmed the note and said: "Bulgaria is not at war."
         Some European countries, concerned over the war with Iran, have pushed back on U.S. military operations.
         Spain closed its airspace and denied base access, Italy rejected a stopover at Sigonella base, and France blocked overflight of U.S.–Israel weapons flights.
     (Production: Thomas Holdstock)
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