Iran weighs U.S. military targets in Europe amid escalation fears

Iran is reportedly contemplating strikes against U.S. military targets in Southern and Southeastern Europe should President Donald Trump decide to escalate the ongoing conflict. This potential expansion of retaliation, detailed by the Financial Times citing sources close to the Iranian regime, suggests a significant broadening of Iran's strategic considerations.

According to the sources, Iranian forces have identified possible targets in countries such as Bulgaria, which recently permitted U.S. military aircraft to use the Bezmer air base for refueling. Cyprus has also been considered, particularly after a British base on the island was targeted by a drone in March. These potential actions indicate a willingness by Tehran to project force beyond its immediate regional sphere.

In parallel, Iran has reportedly examined the possibility of attacking undersea fiber optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz as a retaliatory measure in case of further escalation. This move would aim to disrupt critical global communication infrastructure.

The reports suggest that Iranian leadership is evaluating an expansion of its retaliatory scope, moving beyond traditional military, energy, and infrastructure targets in the Middle East. The Revolutionary Guards and other military commanders have reportedly warned that a large-scale conflict could involve targets situated much farther away, signaling a potentially wider and more disruptive confrontation.