Sofia, Bulgaria – Bulgaria’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to authorize the temporary stationing of US Air Force aerial refueling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base in southeastern Bulgaria. This decision defied warnings from Tehran regarding Sofia’s involvement in regional military operations.
Parliamentary Approval and Defense Commitments
Lawmakers approved the government’s proposal by a 136–13 vote, with two abstentions. This permitted up to eight KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and approximately 250 US military personnel to operate from Bezmer Air Base. The deployment will be between July 24 and October 1.
The temporary presence is carried out under the bilateral 2006 Defense Cooperation Agreement. This agreement governs joint-use military facilities between Bulgaria and the United States.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov assured parliament that no offensive weapon systems would be positioned on Bulgarian soil. In addition, he emphasized that aerial refueling logistics outside Bulgarian airspace do not constitute direct participation in armed conflicts.
Rejection of Iranian Warnings and Local Concerns
The decision follows strong objections from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which warned that permitting US forces to utilize Bulgarian bases would make Sofia complicit in military aggression. Bulgarian officials firmly rejected the characterization. They reiterated their adherence to international defense commitments as a NATO member state.
Domestically, mayors from five municipalities surrounding Bezmer Air Base—located roughly 260 kilometers southeast of Sofia—voiced security concerns over hosting US military assets. These concerns came amid heightened regional volatility following the breakdown of recent ceasefire arrangements.
Bulgaria’s authorization to host US refueling tankers reinforces its defense alignment with NATO and Washington, expanding US logistical range in Middle East operations despite diplomatic friction with Iran and local security apprehensions.