Iran Warns Bulgaria Over Hosting U.S. Aerial Refuelling Aircraft

Iran has issued a fresh diplomatic warning to Bulgaria after the Balkan nation approved the relocation of a United States aerial refuelling aircraft to the Bezmer military air base. Tehran framed the move as part of a broader pattern of Bulgarian support for U.S. operations against Iran.

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The warning marks the third time Iran has publicly protested Bulgaria’s accommodation of U.S. military assets. Earlier this week, Bulgaria’s parliament voted to move the aircraft from a civilian airport to the Bezmer base, a step that follows a recent public thank-you from U.S. President Donald Trump to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The United States has used Bulgarian facilities for aerial refuelling missions linked to regional operations, a practice Tehran claims threatens its security.

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• Dimitar Stoyanov (Bulgarian Defence Minister) told broadcaster bTV that he was not concerned about a missile attack, though he acknowledged “anything is possible.” He added that the risk is lower now than when U.S. aircraft were stationed at a civilian airport.

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• Rumen Radev (Bulgarian Prime Minister) has not issued a direct comment in the available sources, but the Bulgarian government maintains that the deployment aligns with its security partnership with the United States.

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Local residents near the Bezmer base have organized protests, expressing fears that the presence of the U.S. aircraft could make the area a target amid heightened regional tensions. Demonstrators cite the potential for retaliation and call for greater transparency about the base’s operational role.

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• “Thank you, Prime Minister Radev! Bulgaria stands with Trump and supports the deployment of a US Air Force base despite Iran’s threats,” — Donald Trump, after US president — Donald Trump, after U.S. president

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