EditIran warns Romania of political and legal consequences if U.S. military bases are used
Bucharest rejects involvement in Middle East conflict, stresses defensive nature of NATO-aligned cooperation
Iran has directly warned Romania that allowing the United States to use its military bases for operations against Iran would constitute “participation in military aggression” and trigger political and legal repercussions from Tehran.
The statement was issued on Monday by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei during a weekly press conference in Tehran. “If Romania makes its bases available to the United States, this would equate to participation in a military aggression against Iran,” Baghaei declared.
He added that such a move would be “completely unacceptable” under international law, would attract international responsibility for Romania, and would leave “a black mark” on bilateral relations between Tehran and Bucharest. Iran would respond “adequately and rapidly, both politically and legally,” he warned.
The Iranian warning follows Romania’s approval earlier this month of a U.S. request for temporary military deployments. On 11 March the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) and subsequently Parliament authorized the stationing of American aerial refuelling aircraft, surveillance systems, satellite communications equipment, and personnel. The assets are primarily destined for Mihail Kogălniceanu air base on the Black Sea coast and Câmpia Turzii, with some equipment linked to the existing Aegis Ashore missile defence system at Deveselu.
In an immediate response, Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) stated unequivocally that “Romania is not a party to the conflict in the Middle East.” The ministry stressed that its priority remains “diplomatic efforts for de-escalation.” Bucharest underlined that all U.S. military cooperation operates strictly within the framework of the 2006 bilateral access agreement and that the facilities and systems on Romanian territory – including the NATO ballistic missile defence component – serve exclusively defensive purposes in accordance with the UN Charter.
Defence Minister Radu Miruță described the Iranian statement as referring only to political and legal matters, not to any direct military threat, and noted that the enhanced U.S. presence actually strengthens Romania’s national security. President Nicușor Dan had earlier emphasised the same defensive character of the deployments.
Romania also condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states, calling them “unjustified” and dangerous to both regional stability and the global economy.
The diplomatic exchange illustrates how the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is generating ripple effects across NATO’s eastern flank. Romania, a long-standing strategic partner of the United States and host to key American and NATO infrastructure in the Black Sea region, is now navigating the tension between alliance commitments and efforts to avoid direct entanglement in the Middle East crisis.
With IBNA, DG24, Hotnews.ro
Caption: File photo. US Brigadier General Steven P. Carpenter arrives for a press conference during the Dynamic Front 26 military exercise at the Cincu Range near Fagaras, Romania, 09 February 2026. The US Army-led artillery interoperability exercise in Europe is taking place from 26 January to 13 February 2026, involving 5,500 personnel from 28 nations and featuring live-fire demonstrations aimed at strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank through multi-domain operations. EPA/BOGDAN CRISTEL
Updated: March 17, 2026 - 07:37
