US Tankers Quietly Leave Bulgaria After Deployment Enraged Iran

U.S. refueling aircraft left Bulgaria after Iranian officials made statements condemning the deployment of the American aircraft.

The two U.S. Air Force KC-135 tankers were deployed to Bulgaria’s Bezmer air base after Bulgaria’s parliament approved the deployment on July 22, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported. The aircraft left the Bulgarian air base on Friday, nearly a month after Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson threatened Bulgaria, according to Iranian state media outlet PressTV.

The deployment was cut roughly six weeks short, according to BTA. Bulgaria’s parliament authorized the deployment of up to eight KC-135 tankers, their crews, up to 250 U.S. military personnel carrying personal weapons and ammunition and related airfield equipment at Bezmer from July 24 through Oct. 1 to support U.S. operations in the Middle East.

The two KC-135s arrived at Bezmer on July 31, the Bulgarian Defense Ministry told BTA, meaning the tankers spent roughly three weeks at the base before departing.

“The deployment of the U.S. aerial refueling tanker aircraft at Bezmer Air Base is based on the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and the United States of America, signed in 2006,” Antoniya Aleksieva, the first secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Washington, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The agreement regulates the joint use of certain Bulgarian military facilities, including Bezmer Air Base.”

U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and the Bulgarian Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

“We can confirm U.S. Air Force KC-135s have departed from Bulgaria to support other operational requirements,” a U.S. Air Force spokesperson told the DCNF. “U.S. military aircraft routinely transit and are hosted by Allied and partner nations, including in Bulgaria, in accordance with access, basing, and overflight agreements. We are grateful for Bulgaria’s support in regional security, and we look forward [to] our continued partnership, remaining always vigilant in our collective defense.”

The defense minister stated that the aircraft only participated in flights for training purposes in allied countries.

Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov appeared to dismiss speculation that the tankers had been involved in combat operations against Iran in a statement to reporters on Friday, saying none of their flights had traveled south and that all were training missions over allied countries.

“During these days, we have been working in close coordination with the U.S. government,” the BTA reported, citing Stoyanov. “We had advance information, and our decisions were based on clear and accurate information, not on conspiracy theories.”

Bulgaria had never received information indicating a direct threat to its national security stemming from the Bezmer deployment, the BTA reported, citing Stoyanov.

By contrast, Stoyanov said an earlier deployment of 15 U.S. aircraft at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport conducted flights providing logistical support for combat operations, the BTA reported.

Iran had previously warned Bulgaria against allowing its territory to facilitate U.S. military operations against Tehran, saying any country that helps prepare or enable attacks on Iran would bear responsibility for the consequences, Iranian state media outlet Press TV reported, citing Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.

“Iran hopes the Bulgarian parliament will not authorize the use of the country’s territory and facilities in a way that would make Bulgaria complicit with aggressors,” Press TV reported, citing Baghaei.

The U.S. Air Force told the DCNF that U.S. Air Forces in Europe remains ready to defend against potential threats in the region.

“U.S. Air Forces in Europe remains vigilant and ready to defend against any potential threats,” a U.S. Air Force spokesperson told the DCNF. “We are committed to the safety of our Airmen, families, mission partners, and surrounding communities. We continue to work closely with our local law enforcement partners to ensure security measures are maintained.”

Locals in Bezmer protested against the deployment of U.S. aircraft by forming a petition within their community, BTA reported on July 22. The petition eventually gathered signatures from 3,249 residents in 26 villages throughout the region surrounding the airport, BTA reported on July 24.