The United States Air Force (USAF) refueling aircraft, which had been stationed at Bulgaria's Bezmer airbase for weeks, have finally departed. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced the departure, stating that the mission was over. These planes were intended to support US operations against Iran, causing concerns among locals in southeastern Bulgaria about becoming a target for potential Iranian attacks. The Financial Times reported, citing unnamed sources, that Iran had assessed striking US assets in countries like Bulgaria if tensions escalated following Sofia's approval of the use of its Bezmer airbase for US refueling aircraft. Despite the planes' departure, geopolitical tensions and fears of being dragged into the US-Israel conflict with Iran persist among residents. The villagers, numbering around 1,000, had collected over 3,000 signatures against the deployment and held peaceful protests to voice their opposition. With temperatures soaring, elderly residents like Dinka Todorova, 67, and Ganka Vlaeva, 78, express concerns about their safety, fearing potential attacks that could result in many casualties, including children. While Bulgarian military intelligence has identified no threat to national security or facilities within the country, fears remain unabated among some residents. Not everyone shares these concerns; Ivan, a local, believes that the panic is groundless and points towards potential threats from Russia instead. The government has made efforts to reassure residents, but many feel their voices are being ignored, especially after their petition against the deployment was disregarded.