Romania weighs hosting US forces, equipment amid Middle East conflict

ISTANBUL

Romanian President Nicusor Dan said Wednesday that they are weighing hosting US forces and equipment amid escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Following a meeting of the Supreme National Defense Council, Dan announced that they discussed the deployment of some US forces and equipment in Romania, according to Digi24 news channel.

He stressed that the deployment could include aerial refueling planes and satellite communications equipment, while underlining that it will be of a defensive nature. He added that the US forces and equipment will be deployed once the parliament approves the request.

According to sources cited by Digi24, the air bases at Campia Turzii and Mihail Kogalniceanu will be used. They said that around 400-500 military personnel will arrive to operate the deployed equipment.

The sources also noted that the deployment would be approved for a period of 90 days.

Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, and have so far killed more than 1,200 people, including then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.