Bulgaria’s parliament Wednesday voted to allow the United States to base refuelling planes in the country, as President Trump threatens to further escalate military attacks on Iran.
The US administration had made the request Friday, and parliament approved it with 136 votes in favour, 13 against and two abstentions.
The agreement comes after Trump castigated NATO members for not helping the United States in the war it began by attacking Iran in February.
Bulgaria will authorise the deployment of up to eight KC-135 tanker aircraft and up to 250 military personnel, tasked with supporting operations in the Middle East.
They will be stationed at Bezmer Air Base in the south-east, from 24 July to 1 October 2026.
A 2006 defence agreement between Bulgaria and the United States allows US forces access to several Bulgarian military installations, including Bezmer.
On Tuesday, Tehran warned that the authorisation would make Bulgaria “an accomplice to aggressors and criminals”.
Iran has retaliated against US attacks by firing drones and missiles at Middle Eastern countries housing US bases, causing extensive damage to military and energy installations.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Roumen Radev assured Wednesday that Bulgaria would not be used as a base for attacks on Iran.
“These refuelling aircraft will be used exclusively for logistical and in-flight refuelling missions outside Bulgarian airspace,” he said.
