Bulgaria says US aircraft deployment won’t hurt Iran ties

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the deployment of US aerial refueling aircraft to Bezmer Air Base will not damage Sofia’s relations with Iran, saying Tehran understands the mission is not intended for combat operations.

Speaking to reporters, Radev said Iranian authorities were aware that the US aircraft would be used for refueling activities and not direct military strikes.

He added that Bulgaria and Iran have maintained long-standing cooperation, mutual trust and friendly relations, and said he did not expect the deployment to negatively affect bilateral ties.

Parliament approves US deployment

Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved on July 22 the temporary deployment of up to eight US Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and up to 250 US military personnel at Bezmer Air Base.

The deployment is scheduled to take place from July 24 until Oct. 1, 2026, in support of US operations in the Middle East.

The decision allows the presence of aircraft crews, military personnel carrying personal weapons and ammunition, and related airfield equipment.

Radev said preparations for the deployment had been completed but that he could not confirm the exact arrival date of the aircraft.

Vote receives majority support

The parliamentary proposal was approved with 136 votes in favor. Support came from 121 lawmakers from Progressive Bulgaria and 15 from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

Thirteen lawmakers voted against the measure, including members of the Vazrazhdane parliamentary group and one Progressive Bulgaria member, while two Progressive Bulgaria lawmakers abstained.

The GERB-UDF, Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change parliamentary groups did not participate in the vote.

According to the parliamentary Defense Committee, the deployment will not require additional funding beyond the Defense Ministry’s approved 2026 budget.

Source:turkiyetoday