Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced on Saturday that the two U.S. Air Force KC‑135 tanker aircraft stationed at Bulgaria’s Bezmer air base have departed. The aircraft left the base on Friday, concluding a deployment that began in late July.

Background and local response

The deployment was approved by Bulgaria’s parliament on July 22 under a bilateral agreement that allows joint use of military facilities. Shortly after the planes arrived, nearby residents staged protests, fearing that the tankers could become targets for Iranian missiles or drones. Local authorities, however, reported no direct threats to national security.

Iran’s reaction

Iran condemned the presence of the U.S. tankers, labeling it as complicity in “aggression and war crimes.” Sofia dismissed the accusation, stating that the aircraft were engaged solely in training missions over allied nations and that Bulgaria had no intelligence indicating an imminent threat.

U.S. involvement and diplomatic context

The United States, which has been in a state of conflict with Iran since February 28, requested the temporary deployment under the existing agreement for joint use of military facilities. U.S. officials were not immediately reachable for comment on the withdrawal.

Official statements

Stoyanov told reporters that the decision to host the tankers was made in full coordination with the U.S. government and based on prior intelligence, which he said made the deployment “well‑founded.” He added that all flights conducted during the stay were training missions and that Bulgaria had received no direct threats to its security.

Implications

The departure of the tankers may ease tensions with Iran but underscores the ongoing strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States. The episode also highlights how foreign‑military deployments can generate local concern, even when the host nation’s leadership deems them routine.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.