According to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, Ali Nikzad, the deputy chairman of the Iranian Islamic Parliament, specifically warned three European countries on July 26 local time.
Ali Nikzad said, "Over the past few years, we have endured the obstructionism of European countries. We warned them, especially the new British government, the Bulgarian parliament and government, as well as the Ukrainian government, not to become toys of the United States and not to get involved in adventures that have nothing to do with them."
Ali Nikzad said that Iran will firmly defend its territorial integrity, and any area used to invade Iranian territory will be considered a legitimate target for Iranian strikes. "Ukraine's foolish actions will not go unaddressed."
Recently, the US military deployed B-1 "Stearns Bombers" from their base in Fairford, England, to target Iranian targets. This is the first time since the resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran that B-1 bombers have been flown from Britain.
On the 22nd, the Bulgarian Parliament voted to approve the request for up to 8 refueling aircraft to be deployed at the Bzesmeer Air Base in Bulgaria. The deployment will take place from July 24 to October 1, 2026.
Additionally, in the early hours of the 25th, the Ukrainian military attacked an Iranian merchant ship in the Black Sea, causing an explosion. This incident resulted in the death of one crew member and injuries to another. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this act strongly, stating that Ukraine must take responsibility, and that Iran has the right to respond to the Ukrainian attack.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Ukrainian chargé d'affaires in Iran regarding this matter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that the Ukrainian side "has achieved very significant results in remote strikes in the Caspian Sea, including ships used to transport Iranian military goods, as well as one military vessel."
