NATO reacted to reports of possible Iranian strikes on Europe

NATO stated its readiness to defend the alliance's countries after reports that Iran is considering possible strikes on American military facilities in Europe in case of a new escalation of the conflict with the US. A spokesman for the alliance stressed that NATO is ready to counter possible threats and will take the necessary measures to protect its allies.

The reason for the statement was a publication in the Financial Times. According to the outlet, citing two interlocutors close to the Iranian leadership, Iran's armed forces have studied options for strikes on American military facilities in Southern and Southeastern Europe if US President Donald Trump decides to significantly expand military operations against Tehran. Iran has not publicly announced a decision to attack European targets.

Bulgaria and Cyprus were cited as possible targets

One of the directions under consideration, according to FT, was Bulgaria. In July, Sofia allowed the US military to use the Bezmer airbase for tanker aircraft operations. Therefore, American military assets stationed there could be considered by Tehran as a potential target in case of renewed large-scale US strikes on Iran.

Another possible direction named by sources of the publication was Cyprus. In March, the British Akrotiri airbase located on the island was already subjected to a drone attack. Western officials at that time considered it possible that the drone might have been launched by forces linked to Iran, not directly from the territory of the Islamic Republic.

Moreover, Cyprus is not a member of NATO, while Bulgaria is a member of the North Atlantic Alliance. The current NATO statement concerns the commitment to defend precisely the block's allies.

FT sources also claim that Iranian military have studied the possibility of attacks on underwater fiber-optic cables in the area of the Strait of Hormuz in case of further expansion of the conflict. The publication's interlocutors describe these scenarios as response options to possible new American strikes, not as an already approved plan of attack on Europe.

NATO reminded about interceptions of Iranian missiles

In response to reports about a possible expansion of the conflict, a NATO spokesman stated that the alliance's deterrence and defense system remains effective. As an example, he recalled four occasions in 2026 when NATO air defense systems intercepted ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Turkey.

After those attacks, the alliance increased its missile defense readiness. Turkey is a NATO member, so possible strikes on its territory directly affect the block's collective defense system.

At the Ankara summit on 8 July, NATO leaders once again confirmed the principle of collective defense, according to which an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all. In its final declaration, the alliance also separately mentioned Iran, calling on Tehran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran links possible escalation to US actions

According to FT, the supposed European scenarios are considered by Tehran primarily as a response to a possible resumption of large-scale American attacks. One of the publication's sources claims that further expansion of US strikes on Iranian infrastructure could lead to the conflict spreading beyond the Middle East.

At the same time, there is no independent confirmation that Iran's leadership has already authorized the preparation of a specific strike on facilities in Europe. It is a question of assessing possible options for actions described by Financial Times sources. Against this background, NATO publicly makes it clear that in case of a threat to the territory of member states, it intends to fulfill its obligations for their collective defense.

Based on materials: Financial Times, NATO, CNN