# Iran warns Bulgaria of retaliation over US military ties > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-us-tanker-aircraft-deployment > Updated: 2026-08-25T08:22:41.000Z. Sources: 210. Developments: 14. Following the temporary deployment of U.S. KC-135 aerial-refueling tankers at Bulgaria’s Bezmer air base, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov confirmed on 22 August 2026 that two aircraft have departed the facility. Stoyanov noted that all missions conducted during the deployment were limited to training exercises over allied airspace and did not involve flights toward the Middle East. The deployment, which was approved by the Bulgarian Parliament in July, drew sharp criticism from Iran. Tehran characterized the presence of the aircraft as complicity in ‘aggression and war crimes,’ with reports indicating that Iranian forces had considered potential strikes against targets in Bulgaria. This prompted local residents to stage protests due to fears that the base could become a target for missile or drone attacks. Diplomatic tensions escalated on 24 August 2026, when Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei issued a formal warning to Bulgaria, characterizing the cooperation as an ‘act of aggression and a mistake.’ In response to these warnings, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev clarified that the tankers had only flown to NATO member states to the north and west for training exercises. On 25 August 2026, Defense Minister Stoyanov accused Iran of conducting a successful hybrid operation, alleging that Bulgarian opposition politicians may have aided these efforts. Stoyanov warned that such operations are expected to continue and called for greater political responsibility. He further clarified that the departure of the U.S. aircraft was part of a pre-established plan and was not a reaction to external pressure, though the specific timing had been withheld from the public for operational security. ## Claims - The US KC‑135 deployment is intended solely for logistical in‑flight refuelling missions and will not conduct combat operations. (disputed by 8 sources) - The U.S. tanker aircraft are intended to refuel American bombers operating over the Aegean Sea targeting Iran. (disputed by 4 sources) - The Bulgarian parliament approved a temporary deployment of up to eight US KC‑135 tanker aircraft and up to 250 US personnel at Bezmer air base from late July to early October 2026. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Two U.S. KC-135 aerial refueling tankers have departed from the Bezmer airbase in Bulgaria. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The aircraft's missions were limited to training exercises over allied airspace. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned Bulgaria to reconsider allowing US aircraft at Bezmer, calling it facilitation of aggression against Iran. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Iran warned that any party facilitating aggression against Iran will bear responsibility for the consequences. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Iran issued a warning to Bulgaria over the presence of US KC‑135 aerial refuelling aircraft at Bezmer. (corroborated by 18 sources) - It is Iran’s third warning to Bulgaria over the US aircraft deployment. (corroborated by 18 sources) - US President Donald Trump publicly thanked Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev for supporting the US aircraft deployment. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Bulgarian decision‑makers must bear responsibility for the dangerous decision to host US refuelling aircraft. (corroborated by 18 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Bulgarian Defense Minister warns of Iranian hybrid operations Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov warned of ongoing Iranian hybrid operations aided by local politicians and addressed the scheduled departure of U.S. tankers from Bezmer airbase. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-defense-minister-warns-of-iranian-hybrid-operations ### 2026-08-24: US military tankers depart Bulgarian air base U.S. KC-135 refueling tankers have departed Bulgaria's Bezmer Air Base earlier than scheduled, following Iranian warnings regarding the use of regional military facilities. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-military-tankers-depart-bulgarian-air-base ### 2026-08-24: Iran warns Bulgaria against cooperating with U.S. military operations Iran has warned Bulgaria that assisting U.S. military operations against Tehran would be considered a hostile act. Iran also denied receiving an invitation to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-warns-bulgaria-against-cooperating-with-us-military-operations ### 2026-08-22: Iran warns Bulgaria over U.S. military aircraft deployment Two U.S. KC-135 tankers have left Bulgaria's Bezmer Air Base following Iranian warnings that providing military facilities to the U.S. constitutes participation in aggression. 72 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-military-tankers-depart-bulgarias-bezmer-air-base ### 2026-08-19: Bulgaria increases security at Bezmer Air Base amid Iranian threat reports Bulgaria has increased security at Bezmer Air Base after reports that Iran is assessing potential strikes on US military assets in southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Cyprus. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-strengthens-security-amid-potential-iranian-threats ### 2026-07-30: Bulgaria approves US KC‑135 tankers at Bezmer, Iran protests Bulgaria approved up to eight US KC‑135 tankers at Bezmer (July‑Oct 2026). Iran warned the move aids aggression, while locals protested and Bulgaria said the threat is minimal. 56 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-warns-bulgaria-over-us-kc135-deployment-at-bezmer-air-base ### 2026-07-27: Iran warns Bulgaria over US KC‑135 tanker aircraft at Bezmer base Iran issued its third warning to Bulgaria over the hosting of US KC‑135 tankers at Bezmer, saying Bulgarian leaders must bear responsibility. Bulgaria approved the move, prompting protests; its defence minister 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-warns-bulgaria-over-us-use-of-its-military-bases ### 2026-07-26: Bulgaria's Defence Ministers Discuss US Aircraft Deployment at Bezmer Base Bulgaria’s former and current defence ministers said no extra security is needed for US aircraft at Bezmer, stressed NATO protection, and discussed political support for Ilyana Yotova. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarias-defence-ministers-discuss-us-aircraft-deployment-at-bezmer-base ### 2026-07-26: Bulgaria boosts airspace and Besmer airport security Bulgaria, led by PM Rumen Radev, tightened airspace and Besmer airport security, coordinating with NATO amid regional tensions; a U.S. KC-135 tanker landed, drawing Iranian criticism. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-boosts-airspace-and-besmer-airport-security ### 2026-07-24: Bulgaria approves US KC-135 tanker deployment at Bezmer amid Iranian protest Bulgaria’s parliament approved up to eight US KC‑135 tankers at Bezmer (136‑for vote), Iran condemned the move, security was tightened, and President Trump thanked Prime Minister Radev. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-approves-us-tanker-deployment-at-bezmer-base-for-middle-east-support ### 2026-07-24: Bezmer mayor reassured after defence minister discusses US aircraft deployment Mayor Roshen Rusev of Bezmer feels more reassured after meeting Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, who affirmed high security for US aircraft at the base despite local protests and a 3,249‑signature petition. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bezmer-mayor-reassured-after-defence-minister-discusses-us-aircraft-deployment ### 2026-07-22: Bulgaria Approves U.S. Tanker Aircraft Deployment at Bezmer Air Base Amid Protests and Iran Warning Bulgaria’s parliament approved U.S. KC‑135 tanker deployment at Bezmer base, sparking local protests and an Iranian warning, with NATO pledging to defend Bulgaria. 45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-warns-bulgaria-against-hosting-us-military-aircraft ### 2026-07-22: Bulgaria debates US visa waiver and Lukoil oil deal as American jets station at Bezmer Bulgarian MPs discuss postponing a US visa waiver and the Lukoil oil deroga while approving US jets at Bezmer, citing NATO security guarantees and dismissing Iranian warnings. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-debates-us-visa-waiver-and-lukoil-oil-deal-as-american-jets-station-at-bezmer ### 2026-07-20: Bulgaria to Seek Parliament Approval for US Tanker Aircraft at Bezmer Base Bulgaria will request parliamentary approval to station up to eight U.S. tanker aircraft and 250 troops at Bezmer base, sparking Iranian warnings of complicity in aggression. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-requests-to-station-eight-aircraft-at-bulgarias-bezmer-base-for-middle-east-operations --- Cite as: Iran warns Bulgaria of retaliation over US military ties. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-us-tanker-aircraft-deployment