Security measures at Bezmer Air Base were increased following reports that Iranian forces were assessing potential attack targets involving U.S. military assets in southeastern European countries, including Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said that “all possible measures” had been taken at the base in coordination with the Defense Ministry. Demerdzhiev said the measures were designed to address a threat exceeding the level indicated in current security assessments.
Demerdzhiev said developments were being monitored continuously and that broader and more intensive precautionary measures would remain in place in response to a threat far exceeding the level indicated by the available information.
U.S. aircraft and personnel to be deployed to the base
On July 22, the Bulgarian parliament authorized the deployment of up to eight U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and up to 250 U.S. military personnel to Bezmer Air Base.
The deployment, scheduled to take place from July 24 to October 1, is intended to support U.S. operations in the Middle East.
Iran-U.S. understanding stalled over implementation dispute
Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending the war that began in late February and paving the way for a broader agreement. However, the talks later stalled over disputes regarding the implementation of the memorandum and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Negotiations between Iran and Oman on navigation arrangements in the strategic waterway are continuing without a conclusion yet.