Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
SOFIA: Bulgaria’s parliament on Wednesday voted to allow the United States to base refuelling planes in the country, as President Trump threatens to further escalate military attacks on Iran.
The US administration had made the request on Friday, and parliament approved it with 136 votes in favour, 13 against and two abstentions. The agreement comes after Trump castigated Nato members for not helping the United States in the war it began by attacking Iran in February.
Bulgaria will authorise the deployment of up to eight KC-135 tanker aircraft and up to 250 military personnel, tasked with supporting operations in the Middle East.
They will be stationed at Bezmer Air Base in the south-east, from 24 July to 1 October 2026. A 2006 defence agreement between Bulgaria and the United States allows US forces access to several Bulgarian military installations, including Bezmer.
