22.02.2026 11:00
As uncertainty continues over whether the U.S. will launch an attack on Iran, there is unusual activity in the Middle East and neighboring countries in the region. Sofia Airport is closed to civilian flights and opened to military flights on the nights of February 23 and 24, while the U.S. has begun evacuating personnel from some bases, particularly in Qatar and Bahrain, and countries are urging their citizens to "leave Iran," heightening concerns about conflict.
The rising diplomatic and military tension between the US and Iran has alarmed the international community. As the Washington administration initiates one of its most notable military deployments to the Gulf region, some countries have warned their citizens to leave Iran in case of a potential conflict. The US has also begun evacuating military personnel stationed at some bases in the region.
SOFIA AIRPORT CLOSED TO FLIGHTS OVER THE WEEKEND One of the centers of activity has been Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. According to flight tracking application FlightRadar24, Sofia International Airport was closed to civilian flights at certain intervals and only military flights were allowed. Bulgarian research organization Obektivno.BG confirmed the published NOTAM notifications, stating that military operations were prioritized during those time periods. Images shared on social media showed numerous tanker aircraft belonging to the US Navy parked at the airport.
Milen Keremedchiev, a former deputy foreign minister of Bulgaria and security analyst, stated that there were 7 air refueling aircraft, 3 C-17 and C-130 cargo planes, and several Boeing 747s used for transporting military personnel at Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport. Keremedchiev suggested that the aircraft could be heading towards Iran. The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense announced that the deployment was intended to support training activities under NATO's enhanced readiness operations.
POLAND CALLS TO "LEAVE IRAN" In response to the rising tensions, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately. Spain and Germany also issued similar warnings. Some countries, including Germany and Norway, have withdrawn a portion of their military assets from the Middle East.
US ARMY EVACUATES HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS According to a report by the New York Times, the US Army evacuated hundreds of soldiers stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The base, which houses approximately 10,000 personnel, is known as the largest US military facility in the Middle East. Similar evacuations have occurred at some bases in Bahrain. The Israeli army announced that it has entered a state of high alert. Army spokesperson Effie Defrin stated that they are closely monitoring regional developments and are prepared for any scenario.
IRAN TESTS SEYYAD 3-G FOR THE FIRST TIME Amid all these developments, Iran tested the ship-based air defense missile Seyyad 3-G for the first time during the "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz" exercise. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the missile has a range of 150 kilometers and enhances regional air defense capabilities. The Tehran administration also issued a NOTAM due to military firing activities in the eastern and western airspace.
TRUMP: "WE ARE CONSIDERING A LIMITED STRIKE" US President Donald Trump stated that he is considering a "limited strike" to pressure Iran into a nuclear agreement. Trump noted that a potential military intervention could have severe consequences, saying, "Either there will be an agreement, or it will be unfortunate for them." According to The Wall Street Journal, military and government structures could be targeted in a possible initial wave.
"WE ARE READY FOR BOTH WAR AND PEACE" On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that they will not bow to external pressures. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed, "We are ready for both war and peace," stating that they would respond in kind if approached with a language of power.
The US military deployment in the region continues. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has set sail to join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group in the Arabian Sea. According to open-source data, dozens of fighter jets, early warning, and electronic warfare aircraft have been directed to bases in Europe and the Middle East in recent days. Analysts assess that such a large-scale military buildup has occurred at an extraordinary speed and is not sustainable for a long time.