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Iranian forces have assessed potential strikes against US assets in southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles are displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran. (AFP photo)
US-Iran War: Iran is weighing attacking US miliatry targets in Europe if the war with Washington escalates further, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing two people close to the Iranian regime.
According to the report, citing two people familiar with the matter, Iranian forces have assessed potential strikes against US assets in southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Bulgaria, Cyprus On Iran’s Radar
The Financial Times reported that Iran has considered targeting US military assets in Bulgaria, which recently approved the use of its Bezmer air base for US refuelling aircraft.
Cyprus has also reportedly been considered as a potential target. The island hosts a British military base, which was struck by a drone in March.
One of the sources cited by the news outlet also said that Iranian forces had examined the possibility of attacking subsea fibre-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz if the conflict widens.
The reported plans come amid growing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with negotiations to end the conflict currently stalled.
According to the report, Iranian military commanders have warned that any new large-scale US offensive could prompt Tehran to move beyond its earlier strategy of targeting American military assets and infrastructure in the Middle East.
Negotiations to reopen the strait have stalled, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei last week elevated hardliners to top security and military posts. Trump on Tuesday said there were “no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled” with Tehran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other military commanders have warned that, in any new full-scale conflict, Iran would move beyond its previous strategy of attacking US military assets, energy facilities and other infrastructure in the Middle East to targets further afield.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains Key Flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the confrontation.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the strategically important waterway is open and operating under US control. However, shipping traffic through the strait remains extremely low, with an attack on a cargo vessel earlier this week reportedly killing one person.
UAE Severs Ties With Iran
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday suspended all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran, citing escalating regional tensions and concerns over threats to regional and international security.
UAE Foreign Ministry communications director Afra Al Hameli said the measures would remain in place “until further notice”, while rejecting allegations about the status of economic ties between the two countries.
When the Middle East war began on February 28, the UAE said it faced nearly 3,000 Iranian missiles and drones, more than any other country in the region.
The UAE subsequently reported no attacks after a memorandum of understanding came into effect in June. The arrangement has since expired, while other Gulf states have continued to report attacks.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Iran could strike US targets in Europe if the US escalates the war. Iranian officials have warned that countries hosting US forces could become targets.
Ask News18About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre…Read More
August 19, 2026, 2:24 PM IST
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