Two US Aircraft Leave Bulgaria, Bringing Relief to Bezmer, but Fears of an Iranian Attack Remain

Two US refueling aircraft have left Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria, bringing relief to residents of the village and surrounding areas. For weeks, the community had been concerned that the presence of US military aircraft could turn the region into a potential target for Iran.

Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced that the aircraft were no longer in the country. President Ilya Yotova said that, at least for the time being, their mission had ended. The departure of the two Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers was also confirmed by the US Air Force, which said the aircraft would be used to meet “other operational needs.”

The aircraft had been deployed to Bulgaria to support US operations in the war with Iran. The decision had caused widespread alarm in Bezmer, a village of approximately 1,000 residents located near the air base.

Residents’ main concern was that the US presence could place the area in Iran’s crosshairs. Tehran had previously warned Bulgaria not to allow its territory to be used for US and Israeli military operations against Iran.

The Financial Times and other international media outlets had reported that, if the conflict escalated, Iran had considered striking US targets in Southeastern Europe, with Bulgaria also mentioned.

The widespread fear within the community was summed up by a Bezmer resident, who told Al Jazeera: “I pray to God that they do not attack our village.” Several other residents said: “We tremble every day and pray that the war does not come here. We are the first target, and many people will die.”

Opposition to the US presence was also accompanied by peaceful protests. In just two days, residents of Bezmer and surrounding villages collected more than 3,000 signatures opposing the deployment of US forces.

Mayor Rosen Rousseff said residents welcomed the news of the aircraft’s departure with enthusiasm. According to him, the community felt that its demands had finally been taken into account.

At the end of July, the Bulgarian government had submitted a proposal to deploy up to eight KC-135 aircraft and as many as 250 US military personnel at the base. The proposal was subsequently approved by parliament.

Amid the concerns, the government in Sofia sought to reassure residents that there was no cause for alarm. Authorities said military intelligence had identified no specific threat to national security, the US aircraft, or other facilities on Bulgarian territory. An assessment requested by the United Kingdom also described the risk as extremely low.

Not everyone considered the panic justified. Some residents said their greatest concern involved a possible incident involving interceptor missiles, or threats that could come from Russia via the Black Sea.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has warned that Tehran reserves the right to respond to any action it considers support for US and Israeli military operations against it. Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai stressed that Iran “has no problem with the Bulgarian people,” distinguishing Bulgarian citizens from the decisions made by the government in Sofia.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the US aircraft had not conducted flights south of the airport. According to him, they were later moved to other NATO member states for training and exercises.

Bulgarian authorities are also dealing with the spread of panic and disinformation on social media. Local leaders said Facebook groups had been flooded with speculation and alarming comments, further heightening tensions.

Although the US aircraft are no longer in Bezmer, concerns have not completely subsided. Residents fear that they could return and that their village could once again be drawn into the confrontation between the US, Israel, and Iran. For now, the aircraft’s departure has brought calm, but fears that the conflict could spread to their territory remain.