site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria Condemns Iran's Airborne Attack on Israel, No Immediate Threat to National Security Reported

On Sunday, Bulgaria's President, Foreign Ministry, politicians and the Shalom Organization of Jews in Bulgaria expressed deep concern and condemned Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel which Tehran said was in response to the April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus that killed senior Iranian military officers.

Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev received a report saying there is no immediate threat to Bulgaria's national security in view of the situation in the Middle East, the Government information service said.  Glavchev called a working meeting of the caretaker ministers of defence, Atanas Zapryanov, and of transport and communications, Georgi Gvozdeikov, caretaker Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Dimitrova, the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, and representatives of the security services. 

Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told bTV Sunday evening that there is no direct military threat for Bulgaria and this country is not changing its combat readiness. According to him, Israel will not respond in such a direct manner, as it has other means to exert influence. "I believe that there will be no escalation," he said. 

The caretaker Government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and is ready to take further action if necessary. "Our main task is to preserve the lives and health of Bulgarian citizens in the region," Glavchev was quoted as saying. So far, the Foreign Ministry has not received any requests for evacuation. At this stage there is no need to convene the Security Council with the Council of Ministers.

Bulgaria, as part of the EU's efforts for de-escalation, participates in the drafting and supports the joint statement and position on behalf of the EU27 on Iran, the caretaker Bulgarian Cabinet said on Facebook Sunday.

The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, announced earlier in the day that he has convened an extraordinary videoconference meeting of EU foreign Ministers on Tuesday, 16 April, in connection with the attack carried out by Iran against Israel

President Rumen Radev has condemned the escalation of tension in the Middle East and is following with concern the development of the conflict, his press secretariat said. All countries in the region should abstain from further use of force. The President is in constant contact with the Bulgarian government and security services with a view to guaranteeing the life and safety of Bulgarian citizens in the Middle East and, if necessary, their evacuation from the region.

The Foreign Ministry said in a position in English on the social network X: "Bulgaria is deeply concerned by the unacceptable Iranian attack on Israel. This is an unprecedented escalation that creates a grave threat to the regional security. The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria is closely monitoring the development of the situation and is ready to take the necessary actions to protect and guarantee the security of Bulgarian citizens in the region. Lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East could be achieved only with full respect for the founding principles of the Charter of the UN and all relevant international treaties and conventions. The Republic of Bulgaria calls for maximum restraint and de-escalation."

Caretaker Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov condemned Iran's unacceptable missile and drone attack on Israel. In a Facebook post he called for immediate de-escalation in the Middle East and for establishing lasting peace.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov condemned in a Facebook post Iran's reckless airborne attack on Israel on Saturday night and said that a further escalation of the Middle East conflict caused by Iran's actions must not be allowed. "We support our Israeli friends in their legitimate right to protect and defend their country and people."

The Continue the Change party said in a press release that Iran's military operation against Israel was irresponsible and unjustified, a threat to peace and security in the whole region. "We support Israel's right to defend its sovereignty. We are also calling for de-escalation and symmetrical action on both sides to prevent the conflict from escalating into a major regional war."

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said on Facebook: "Once again we have witnessed double standards in Bulgaria's foreign policy. Israel's terrorist attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus was passed over in silence, while Iran's legitimate and expected response to Israel was condemned immediately by the Foreign Ministry on the social network X at 3:46 a.m. in a position in English only. This begs the question: where exactly was the position written - at the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry or at the US Embassy?"

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) expressed deep concern about the expansion of military operations in the Middle East in recent hours. "We call for restraint and for the prevention of a further escalation of conflicts in the region. All efforts must concentrate on de-escalating tensions and achieving sustainable peace," BSP leader Korneliya Ninova said in a Facebook post.

There Is Such a People leader Slavi Trifonov said in a Facebook post that Israel is part of European civilization and European culture, and expressed the party's and his own support and sympathy for "our friends in Israel". "There is no need to wish them strength because history has shown that they have it in abundance," he added. "Iran's attack on Israel last night is the absolute proof that Islamic fundamentalism and its regime in Iran have no place in the modern world. (...) If anyone thinks they can negotiate with radical Islam, they are either naive or ignorant."

The Shalom Organization of Jews in Bulgaria said on Facebook: "At this difficult moment the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria stands behind our brothers and sisters in Israel and prays for their safety. We strongly condemn Iran's attack and express our deepest gratitude to all international allies for their unwavering military and diplomatic support for Israel."