Bulgaria Dismisses Speculations Linking U.S. Aircraft in Sofia to Iran

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(MENAFN) Bulgaria’s defense minister moved swiftly Monday to dismiss speculation that US aircraft stationed at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport were linked to looming military action against Iran.

Atanas Zapryanov said the deployment was strictly part of a joint exercise with the Bulgarian Air Force at Vrazhdebna Air Base, involving logistical support and aerial refueling. The operation, he noted, was reported by a broadcaster.

“The exercise is in no way related to the situation with Iran or US negotiations,” Zapryanov stated, emphasizing that the drills involve no more than 15 aircraft and up to 500 personnel. He explained that Sofia’s airport was used for overflow parking due to limited capacity at Vrazhdebna.

Zapryanov underscored that US strategic forces routinely operate across NATO’s eastern flank, with Bulgarian facilities integrated into the alliance’s defense framework under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. “There is nothing extraordinary here that would require alarm,” he added.

The reassurance comes as Iran and the US prepare to resume nuclear talks Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland, amid heightened regional tensions. The negotiations follow a sharp US military buildup in the Persian Gulf and recent drills by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US President Donald Trump has warned of military action against Iran if a deal is not reached within 10 to 15 days, intensifying fears of escalation.

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