Greece Considers Moving Patriot Battery to Souda Amid Middle East Tensions

Greece is evaluating the relocation of a Patriot missile battery from the island of Karpathos to the Souda naval base on Crete. The Ministry of National Defence is weighing this option due to heightened tensions in the Middle East and intelligence suggesting Iran might target U.S. interests in Europe.

Sources indicate that if a significant threat to Souda is assessed, the Patriot battery could be moved to provide more comprehensive coverage for the base's facilities. This consideration comes amid reports that Iran has contemplated striking American military targets in Europe should the U.S. escalate military operations.

These reports, cited by the Financial Times, suggest that Iranian forces have assessed the possibility of attacking U.S. installations in southeastern European countries, including Bulgaria, which recently approved the use of Bezmer Air Base for U.S. refueling aircraft. Cyprus has also been mentioned as a potential target in the event of further U.S. attacks. Additionally, Iranian forces have reportedly considered attacking fiber optic undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz if the conflict intensifies.

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If it is assessed that there is a significant threat to Souda, the Patriot battery from Karpathos may be transferred there, so that fuller coverage of the military base's facilities is ensured.