Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Iran Weighs European US Targets If Trump Escalates War
Reports say Iran is preparing possible responses if the United States expands the war.
Iranian forces have reportedly studied US-linked military sites in Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Bulgaria’s Bezmer air base may be used by American refuelling aircraft.
Cyprus hosts the British RAF Akrotiri base, which was reportedly hit by a drone in March.
Iran has also considered damaging underwater internet cables near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have warned that countries helping the United States could become involved in the conflict.
The reported plans are contingency options, not proof that an attack is about to happen.
US-Iran talks have stalled, and President Donald Trump said there were no talks scheduled.
One expert said Iranian missiles could reach some European targets but might cause less damage at longer distances.
The Financial Times reported that Iran has assessed possible strikes on US military assets in southeastern Europe if Washington escalates the war.
Potential locations include Bulgaria’s Bezmer air base and the British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus.
Iranian planners have also reportedly explored attacks on subsea fibre-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian commanders warned that countries supporting US military operations could face consequences, including Gulf states and the United Kingdom.
Analyst Sidharth Kaushal described Iran’s missile threat to Europe as real but limited, while the reports said no European attack has been authorised.
- Who
- Iranian military forces and regime officials, the United States, President Donald Trump, European host countries, and analyst Sidharth Kaushal.
- What
- Iran has reportedly assessed possible attacks on US-linked military assets in southeastern Europe and subsea cables in the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The Financial Times reports were published Wednesday; the planning reportedly includes developments from last month and a March drone incident.
- Where
- Potential targets include Bulgaria, Cyprus, southeastern Europe, and subsea infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Iran is reportedly preparing retaliation options if the United States launches a major new attack or targets Iranian infrastructure.
Iranian warnings and contingency planning
US position and external assessment
Scope of retaliation
Iranian warnings and contingency planning
Iranian regime insiders and commanders said Tehran could expand retaliation beyond Middle Eastern military facilities, energy installations, and infrastructure, potentially including Europe.
US position and external assessment
The reports describe possible European targets as contingency options and provide no indication that Iran has authorised or imminently planned an attack there.
European and Gulf military support
Iranian warnings and contingency planning
Iranian officials said countries hosting, facilitating, or assisting US military operations could be treated as participating in attacks against Iran and could face consequences.
US position and external assessment
The reported locations are described as sites connected to US or British military activity; the reports do not present statements from the governments of Bulgaria, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, or Gulf states endorsing Iran’s warnings.
Potential impact of missile strikes
Iranian warnings and contingency planning
Iran could reportedly use medium-range ballistic missiles against US assets in southern and southeastern Europe if Washington escalates.
US position and external assessment
Analyst Sidharth Kaushal assessed the threat as real but limited because Iran’s missiles could have difficulty causing significant damage at longer distances.
- Reported European targets
- US military assets in southeastern Europe, including locations in Bulgaria and Cyprus
- Bulgaria site
- Bezmer air base, whose use by US refuelling aircraft was recently approved
- Cyprus site
- The British RAF Akrotiri base, which was reportedly hit by a drone in March
- Other reported target
- Subsea fibre-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz
- Reported weapon capability
- Medium-range ballistic missiles, including Iran’s Shahab series
- Expert assessment
- Sidharth Kaushal called the European missile threat real but limited
- Diplomatic status
- Talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled; Trump said no talks were scheduled
