NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during a phone call with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev that the alliance would continue its full support for Bulgaria.
The call addressed the security environment in Europe and the risks that could arise if Iran carried out an aggressive action. Rutte said NATO’s defense forces and capabilities in the region were ready to respond to threats against alliance member states.
NATO’s defense commitment
Rutte said any attack on a NATO member state would be considered an attack against the alliance and that the necessary steps would be taken under the North Atlantic Treaty.
The NATO secretary general also described the recent interception of ballistic missiles heading toward Türkiye as an indication of the alliance’s readiness to provide protection.
Security increased around Bezmer Air Base
The call took place after a report indicated that Iranian forces were considering targeting U.S. military assets in Bulgaria. Bulgarian authorities increased security measures at Bezmer Air Base, which has been approved for use by U.S. aerial refueling aircraft.
Bulgarian authorities said there was no direct national security threat in the area.