Iran has been considering striking US military targets in southern and south-eastern Europe if President Donald Trump decides to escalate the conflict, the Financial Times reports, citing two people close to the Tehran regime.
According to the newspaper’s sources, Iranian forces have been examining possible attacks against US assets in countries such as Bulgaria, which last month authorized the use of the Bezmer air base to refuel US military aircraft. Cyprus was also reportedly considered, after a British base on the island was hit by a drone in March.
Iran, also evaluating possible attacks on submarine cables
The sources also tell the FT that Tehran has separately examined the possibility of attacking underwater fiber optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a new escalation.
According to the newspaper, Iranian leaders are considering broadening the range of possible retaliations beyond US military, energy and infrastructure objectives in the Middle East. Revolutionary Guards and other military commanders have reportedly warned that a new large-scale conflict could involve more distant targets.
NATO: «Our deterrence and defense capacity is solid and effective»
«As demonstrated earlier this year, when NATO air defenses successfully intercepted, on four separate occasions, ballistic missiles directed at Turkey from Iran, our deterrent and defense capability is robust and effective. NATO is ready to face any threat and will always do everything necessary to defend all Allies.” This was stated by a NATO official.