We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario because the situation is escalating after Iran’s direct attack against Israel, said caretaker Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov for public service TV BNT. “We have response steps which is the next escalation,” Minister Zapryanov said further. “We have to monitor what this response will be and the proportionality. At this stage there is no direct threat to the country,” he added. The other immediate threat is an activation of terrorist acts by Islamist organizations and their cells in European countries. “Bulgaria could also be a target,” Atanas Zapryanov said.

• Bulgaria denies involvement in case of detonated pagers
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As regards the attack involving pagers against Hezbollah, in which Bulgaria was implicated, he commented that “Bulgaria’s ill-wishers are purposefully and deliberately trying to embroil Bulgaria in events the country has nothing to do with.”