Greece mobilizes after Iranian threat

2026-08-20 09:19:03Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Greece mobilizes after Iranian threat

Alarm has been raised on NATO's eastern flank following the publication of Iranian plans to transfer the war to American bases in Europe, should tensions in the Middle East escalate.

The Financial Times article emphasizes that Iran has the capability to strike US and NATO bases in the region, specifically mentioning bases in Cyprus and Bulgaria.

According to the report, Iran is considering striking US targets in Europe if President Donald Trump escalates the war.

NATO reacted immediately, with a spokesperson telling CNN that the alliance is ready to "confront any threat" and protect its members.

Iran's retaliation includes scenarios of attacks against American targets in Southeast Europe, such as Bulgaria and Cyprus, but also the possibility of sabotaging critical infrastructure, including undersea fiber-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has warned that in the event of a new conflict, Iran would abandon its previous strategy focused on the Middle East and extend its attacks beyond the region. Last month, an Iranian drone targeted the British base of Akrotiri in Cyprus, prompting immediate mobilization in Athens.

Athens responded by sending F-16 fighter jets, frigates like the "Kimon", and by deploying Patriot batteries. This mobilization was seen as a model for the response of other forces in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Sources from the Greek Ministry of National Defense confirm that the transfer of a Patriot battery from Karpathos to the Souda base is being considered, if the situation escalates.

At the same time, Greece is analyzing the possibility of assisting Bulgaria by providing it with a Patriot system to strengthen its anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic defense, if requested and approved by the Governmental National Security Council.

For the security of Cyprus, four F-16 fighter jets of the Greek Air Force and the Navy frigate "Nikiforos Fokas" remain deployed in the area.

NATO has stressed that it is ready to counter any threat, recalling that earlier this year its defense systems successfully intercepted four Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Turkey. "Our deterrent and defensive posture is strong and effective," a NATO official told CNN.


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