美国首批两架KC-135空中加油机已抵达保加利亚东南部的贝兹梅尔空军基地，该基地距保加利亚首都索非亚约260公里[1]。这一部署用于支持中东军事行动[1]。保加利亚议会7月投票批准部署最多8架这类加油机以及250名携带个人武器和弹药的人员，该授权的有效期至2026年10月1日[1]。
特朗普总统对保加利亚总理鲁门·拉德夫允许此次部署表示感谢[1]。为消除当地顾虑，保加利亚政府官员向居民保证部署仅用于保加利亚领空外的空中加油后勤任务[1]。伊朗外交官阿拉格其抗议保加利亚支持美国对伊朗的军事行动[1]，对此保加利亚外交部长彼得罗娃向其保证"部署绝不意味着保加利亚对伊朗政策的改变"[1]。此外，保加利亚当地居民也进行了和平抗议[1]。
The United States has deployed its first two KC-135 refueling aircraft to Bezmer Air Base in southeastern Bulgaria to support military operations in the Middle East.[1] Bulgaria's parliament approved the deployment of up to eight such tanker aircraft and 250 personnel carrying personal weapons and ammunition in July, with authorization extending through October 1, 2026.[1]
Bezmer Air Base is located approximately 260 kilometers southeast of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia.[1] President Trump expressed gratitude to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev for permitting the deployment.[1] Bulgarian Foreign Minister Petrov assured Iranian diplomats that "the deployment in no way represents a change in Bulgaria's policy toward Iran."[1] However, Iranian diplomat Araghchi protested Bulgaria's support for US military operations against Iran.[1] Bulgarian government officials have assured local residents that the deployment will be limited to aerial refueling logistics operations outside Bulgarian airspace.[1]