U.S. Military Aircraft in Bulgaria Concludes Mission and Depart Base

Xinhua News Agency Sofia, August 22 (Reporter Zhou Hailun) Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov stated on the 22nd that two U.S. military aircraft have left the Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria, earlier than their permitted stay period.

Stoyanov said that during the stay of the U.S. military aircraft at the Bezmer Air Base, there was not a single southward flight; all flights were conducted in the airspace of allied countries to the west and northwest, and Bulgaria "has not received any information indicating that national security is under direct threat."

Bulgarian President Yotova also confirmed to the media during an event that day that these aircraft had left the air base and the mission was completed.

According to local Bulgarian media, citing information from the Ministry of Defense, there were only two U.S. military aircraft deployed at the Bezmer Air Base, which arrived on July 31.

On July 22, the Bulgarian Parliament voted to approve the deployment of up to 8 refueling aircraft by the U.S. at the Bezmer Air Base, with the deployment period from July 24 to October 1. Subsequently, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei warned that Bulgaria had previously allowed the U.S. to use the airport in the capital Sofia for operations against Iran, and now allowing U.S. military forces to be deployed in the country "could constitute an act of aggression."