Iran reportedly threatens to expand retaliatory attacks to Europe if US restarts war

Iran has considered targeting US military sites or assets in Europe should fighting flare up again, the Financial Times reports, citing regime insiders.

According to the British news outlet, military assets in Bulgaria or Cyprus could be attacked, significantly expanding the reach of the regime’s retaliatory action, which has focused mainly on the Middle East until now. Both countries have military bases that have been available to US troops and equipment.

During the war that broke out on February 28, Iran managed to shoot a missile at the Diego Garcia air base some 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away in the southern Indian Ocean, signaling its ability to fire at nearly anywhere in Europe, though analysts say the increased range would come at the cost of a smaller warhead, minimizing potential damage.

Israeli officials have repeatedly warned of the Iranian threat to Europe.

The regime insiders quoted in the report also raised the possibility of damaging fiber-optic cables running under the Strait of Hormuz, which could significantly impair telecommunications.

One is cited saying Iran would have “no limits” on its response should the US attack. “Should the US go too far, Iran will defend itself at any price, go beyond the region and hit Europe too,” they are quoted saying.

The second insider tells the paper that threatened US attacks on infrastructure would trigger the wider response, pointing to an attack on Jordan in which three US servicemembers were killed as proof of Tehran’s targeting capabilities.

“This was also a message to Europe: it can receive missiles, so it should know where it should stand in this war,” they are quoted saying. “A very big mistake, such as hitting our infrastructure, could make the war go beyond the region and reach Europe.”