NATO on October 22 said it was prepared to counter any threat, following press reports that Iran had weighed attacks on US forces in Europe. An unnamed NATO official said the alliance intercepted four Iranian ballistic missiles fired toward Turkey this year, citing this as evidence that its deterrence capabilities remain effective.
The remarks came after the Financial Times reported that Iran had considered the possibility of striking US military bases in various parts of Europe. The news has raised concerns in Southeastern Europe, a region hosting several countries with US military facilities.
In July, the Bulgarian parliament approved the use of the Bezmer air base as a refueling station for US military aircraft, also allowing about 250 US troops to be stationed there until October. Bulgaria's Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev confirmed that the country has adopted “all necessary measures” at the base, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, despite the current threat level being assessed as lower than the precautions already in place.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with his Bulgarian counterpart shortly after Washington gained permission to use the Bezmer base. According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, Araghchi stressed that “any party that participates, in any form, in an anti-Iran military attack will be held responsible for the consequences.”
A British air base in Cyprus is the only location in Europe to have been targeted by drones since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began in February. Iran has repeatedly launched retaliatory missiles at US bases and targets across the Middle East, warning that any country supporting military actions against Tehran risks becoming a target itself.
The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending hostilities, setting a deadline for the two countries to reach a long-term agreement. That deadline expired earlier this week, and no talks have yet been resumed.
