Bulgaria Allows the United States to Deploy Aerial Refueling Aircraft

The Bulgarian parliament voted yesterday in favor of allowing the United States to deploy aerial refueling aircraft in the country, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to escalate military attacks on Iran. The U.S. administration submitted the request on Friday, and the parliament approved it with 136 votes in favor, 13 against, and two abstentions. The agreement comes after Trump sharply criticized members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), accusing them of failing to support the United States in the war. Bulgaria will allow the deployment of up to eight KC-135 refueling aircraft, along with up to 250 military personnel tasked with supporting military operations in the Middle East. These forces will be stationed at the Bezmer Air Base in southeastern Bulgaria from July 24 to October 1, 2026. A defense agreement between Bulgaria and the United States dating back to 2006 grants U.S. forces access to several Bulgarian military facilities, including Bezmer.