US Refueling Jets Leave Bulgaria After Iran Criticism

Two US KC-135 refueling aircraft left the Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria nearly a month after their temporary deployment in the country drew criticism from Iran. Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced this on Saturday.

The United States, which has been at war with Iran since 28 February, requested the temporary deployment of the aircraft under an agreement on the joint use of military facilities. The Bulgarian parliament approved the deployment on 22 July.

At the time, Tehran claimed that by deploying the aircraft, Sofia was complicit in "aggression and war crimes". Bulgaria rejected the accusation.

The presence of the US aircraft also sparked protests among residents living near the base, who feared possible Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Both US Air Force aircraft departed Bulgaria on Friday. Stoyanov said that during their stay, the aircraft conducted only training flights over allied countries.

According to the minister, Bulgaria had no information about direct threats to its national security and coordinated its decision-making with the US government.

(Reuters, lud)