Iran reportedly considers targeting US military assets in Europe

Following a report by the Financial Times, concerns have risen regarding Iranian threats to expand the conflict beyond the Middle East by targeting US military facilities in southeastern Europe. Sources close to the Iranian regime indicated that Tehran has evaluated potential strikes against assets in Bulgaria, following its approval for US refueling at Bezmer air base, and in Cyprus, specifically citing the British military base at Akrotiri, which experienced a drone strike in March.

In response to these claims, the Cypriot government and diplomatic sources firmly denied that the island is a target, emphasizing ongoing communication with Tehran. Iranian diplomatic sources later clarified that Cyprus is not considered a threat provided that British bases on the island are not utilized for operations against the Islamic Republic. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that RAF Akrotiri is protected by robust, multi-layered security measures and maintained that the safety of its personnel remains a top priority.

Beyond military facilities, sources also noted that the Iranian armed forces have considered targeting undersea fiber-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz if hostilities escalate. These developments occur as hardline figures gain influence in Tehran and tensions remain high following stalled regional negotiations.