Bulgaria has firmly rejected plans to host United States tanker aircraft for operations in the Middle East, closing a potential logistical avenue for Washington amid rising regional tensions.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated on Wednesday that using Bulgarian territory for such military activities is "categorically out of the question," directly countering warnings from Tehran that hosting the planes would constitute complicity in aggression.
The denial comes as Iran has ruled out technical working group meetings with the US for the remainder of the week, signaling a deepening diplomatic freeze.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the suspension of talks, reinforcing Tehran's hardline stance following recent escalations.
The Bulgarian government emphasized that any aircraft stationed on its soil would serve strictly logistical purposes, attempting to de-escalate the diplomatic row while maintaining its neutrality.
For markets, the development underscores the complex web of geopolitical constraints affecting Middle East operations.