Bulgaria approves US refuelling plane deployment

Bulgaria's parliament voted on Wednesday to allow the United States to station refuelling aircraft and military personnel in the country.

The US administration requested the deployment on Friday. Parliament approved it by 136 votes to 13, with two abstentions.

Bulgaria will allow up to eight KC-135 tanker aircraft and up to 250 military personnel to be deployed at Bezmer Air Base in the south-east of the country from 24 July to 1 October 2026. The aircraft and personnel are to support operations in the Middle East.

The agreement comes as President Trump threatens to further escalate military attacks on Iran. Trump had criticised NATO members for not helping the United States in the war it began by attacking Iran in February.

A 2006 defence agreement between Bulgaria and the United States allows US forces to use several Bulgarian military installations, including Bezmer.

Tehran warned on Tuesday that the authorisation would make Bulgaria "an accomplice to aggressors and criminals". Iran has responded to US attacks by firing drones and missiles at Middle Eastern countries that host US bases, causing extensive damage to military and energy installations.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Roumen Radev said on Wednesday that Bulgaria would not be used as a base for attacks on Iran. He said the refuelling aircraft would be used only for logistical and in-flight refuelling missions outside Bulgarian airspace.