Foreign Relations

Bulgarian Minister Says U.S. Tankers Left Base Supporting Mideast Operations

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of a white-haired Bulgarian official in a dark suit and red tie speaking outdoors to clustered press microphones, with a reporter and a tree-lined public space behind him, drawn in warm ochre and slate-blue chalk and pastel strokes with cross-hatching on sepia newsprint.

Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said U.S. tanker aircraft left Bezmer Air Base and departed Bulgaria on Friday. He said Sofia had advance notice and acted in coordination with Washington. Bulgaria’s parliament had authorized up to eight KC-135 tankers, their crews, up to 250 U.S. personnel, weapons, ammunition and airfield equipment at Bezmer from July 24 through October 1. The authorization said the deployment would support U.S. operations in the Middle East. The decision followed U.S. Embassy diplomatic note No. 202/2026 dated July 17.

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