US military tankers depart Bulgarian air base

Two U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling tankers have departed Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria, ending a deployment that lasted approximately three weeks. The deployment, which was originally authorized by the Bulgarian parliament to run from July 24 through October 1, was cut short.

Bulgarian officials addressed concerns regarding the aircraft's movements following warnings from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei. Baghaei had cautioned that nations should not allow their military facilities to be used by “aggressors for illegal activities.” In response, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the aircraft had not flown south toward the Middle East, but had instead flown only to NATO member states to the north and west for training and exercises.

The presence of the tankers was based on a 2006 Defense Cooperation Agreement between Bulgaria and the United States. A U.S. Air Force spokesperson confirmed the aircraft departed to support other operational requirements, noting that such transits are routine in accordance with existing basing and overflight agreements.