The Bulgarian parliament approved on July 23, 2026, the temporary stationing of United States refueling aircraft at the Bezmer military base, located 260 kilometers southeast of Sofia. The decision passed with 136 votes in favor, 13 against, and 2 abstentions, following a request from Washington last week to host up to eight KC-135 aircraft and approximately 250 personnel.

Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov defended the move, assuring parliament that no offensive weapon systems would be deployed and that the base's activity would not involve Bulgaria in military combat operations. Stoyanov emphasized that the U.S. has pledged to minimize security risks for the host nation. The proposal faced opposition from five local mayors near the Bezmer base, who expressed significant concerns regarding regional security.

The decision comes amidst warnings from Iran, which labeled the move as complicity in aggression and war crimes, accusations that the Bulgarian government has formally rejected. As a member of both the European Union and NATO, Bulgaria continues to coordinate its defense logistics with the United States while maintaining its policy of not hosting offensive combat capabilities.