BEZMER, BULGARIA, 23 July 2026 (TON): Bulgaria’s Parliament on Wednesday backed a Government proposal to allow the US military to use an air base in the Balkan country to support US operations in West Asia, while some expressed concern about becoming involved in the Iran war. Legislators in Bulgaria voted 136-13, with two abstentions, to allow upto eight US KC-135 refuelling aircraft along with 250 personnel and supporting equipment at Bezmer Air Base from Friday to 1 October 2026.
No further approvals are needed. Under a 2006 US-Bulgaria defence agreement, the Bezmer facility, about 260 kilometres (160 miles) southeast of the capital, Sofia, is a joint-use facility. Any time the US wants to use the base for a new reason, it requires Parliament approval.
Most of the countries in the European Union have refused to entertain President Trump administration request to use of air bases in support of its war with Iran.