Bulgaria Seeks Parliamentary Approval for U.S. Military Aircraft Base
The request follows a controversy over earlier use of Sofia’s civilian airport, and officials say the planes would support U.S. operations in the Middle East.
- Bulgaria will seek parliamentary approval on Monday for up to eight U.S. tanker aircraft to be stationed at Bezmer military facility, Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced at an annual conference of Bulgarian Ambassadors in Sofia.
- A controversial attempt earlier this year to base the tankers at Sofia's civilian airport without parliamentary approval sparked backlash, forcing the planes to depart last month and prompting Radev to propose military airfields instead.
- The U.S. aircraft serve as critical refueling support for American military operations across the Middle East; Bezmer sits about 260 km southeast of Sofia, while Israel is also preparing to receive additional U.S. refueling aircraft.
- Heightened Middle East tensions, including resumed U.S.-Iran military strikes since an interim ceasefire collapsed a month ago, underscore the strategic importance of the deployment and raise the possibility of all-out war.
- Parliamentary authorization will formalize Bulgaria's commitment to NATO alliance military cooperation with the United States, distinguishing this deployment from the previous unauthorized civilian airport placement and solidifying the nation's role in regional operations.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Bulgaria's parliament's defense committee today approved a government proposal to allow the temporary deployment of US refueling aircraft and US military personnel at Bezmer Air Base, despite a stern warning from Tehran that it would face consequences if it did so.
Bulgaria has authorized the deployment of American refueling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base, despite Iranian denialsBulgaria's parliamentary committee supported the deployment of up to eight U.S. refueling planes and 250 troops. Iran has warned inadmissibility of facilitating US military operations.
Despite Iran ' s statements, the Bulgarian Parliamentary Committee supported the Government ' s initiative.
Asharq AL-awsat
KAYHAN LIFEIran Warns Bulgaria Against Aiding US Military Operations After Move to Station US Aircraft
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman warned Bulgaria on Tuesday against allowing the US to use its territory for military operations against Iran. The Bulgarian government has said it will seek parliamentary approval to station up to eight US tanker aircraft at an air base in the Balkan country, which is a member of NATO and the European Union. Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said any activity that facilitates US attacks on Iran would amoun…
Bulgaria to Greenlight US Use of Air Base as Long-Term Hub
Prime Minister Rumen Radev says parliament will likely approve US military aircraft using Bezmer airfield in central Bulgaria for refuelling purposes - after previously criticising the presence of US planes at Sofia’s main airport.
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