US Air Force Tankers Depart Bulgaria Amid Iranian Threats

Two United States Air Force KC-135 refueling tankers departed the Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria on August 21, 2026. The aircraft had been deployed since July 31 to support Middle East operations during an ongoing war between the United States and Iran. The departure occurred well before the October 1 deadline previously authorized by the Bulgarian parliament.

Dimitar Stoyanov, the Bulgarian Defense Minister, stated the withdrawal followed close coordination with the U.S. government. He maintained that the aircraft conducted only training flights over allied airspace to the west and northwest, explicitly denying that any flights were carried out to the south. Stoyanov dismissed reports of a Russian reconnaissance flight over the base and local fears of Iranian missile attacks as conspiracy theories, asserting there is no direct threat to national security.

Iran had previously condemned the deployment as complicity in aggression and war crimes, with reports suggesting Tehran assessed possible strikes against U.S. assets in Bulgaria and Cyprus. While Sofia describes the mission's end as planned, some military experts suggest the withdrawal indicates a lack of safety for American forces. NATO officials have since affirmed the alliance's readiness to defend all members against Iranian threats.