Newsletters
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said he does not expect relations between Bulgaria and Iran to deteriorate because of the deployment of U.S. refueling aircraft to Bezmer Air Base.
Speaking to reporters, Radev said the Iranian administration knows that the American refueling aircraft to be deployed in Bulgaria will not be used in combat missions.
Radev said Bulgaria and Iran have long-standing cooperation, mutual trust and friendly relations, adding that he does not expect the deployment to damage ties between the two countries.
He said he could not provide clear information on when the U.S. aircraft would arrive in Bulgaria but added that the necessary preparations had been completed.
Bulgaria's National Assembly on July 22 authorized the deployment of up to eight U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and up to 250 U.S. military personnel at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 through Oct. 1, 2026, in support of U.S. operations in the Middle East.
According to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), lawmakers approved a proposal submitted by the Council of Ministers allowing the temporary presence of the aircraft, their crews, military personnel carrying personal weapons and ammunition, and related airfield equipment.
Parliament also instructed Rosen Zhelyazkov to organize the deployment, BTA said.
1 min read
The proposal was approved by 136 lawmakers, including 121 members of Progressive Bulgaria and 15 from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.
Thirteen lawmakers voted against the proposal, including members of the Vazrazhdane parliamentary group and one Progressive Bulgaria lawmaker, while two Progressive Bulgaria lawmakers abstained.
The GERB-UDF, Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change parliamentary groups did not take part in the vote.
According to parliament's Defense Committee, implementing the decision will not require additional spending beyond the Defense Ministry's approved 2026 budget.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
