Athens is moving to recalibrate its air defense planning, weighing several scenarios after reports emerged that Iran has placed American targets in Cyprus and Bulgaria under scrutiny, in the event of further escalation in its conflict with the United States. On the table are the repositioning of Patriot missile defense systems to northern Greece and Crete, while Greek F-16s and the frigate Nikiforos Fokas remain stationed in Cyprus.
This new development follows a report by the Financial Times, according to which Tehran has explored options for striking American military and NATO targets in Europe, should Washington proceed with further escalation. “NATO is ready to counter any threat and will always do whatever is necessary to defend all allies,” a senior alliance official stated, as alarm bells have also begun ringing within the European Union.
Tehran targets Cyprus and Bulgaria: Patriot repositioning to northern Greece and Crete on the table
According to the British newspaper’s sources, Iranian armed forces have assessed potential American targets in southeastern Europe, including in Bulgaria, which last month approved the use of Bezmer Air Base by American aerial refueling aircraft. Among the scenarios Tehran is reported to have considered is Cyprus, where a British base was already the target of a drone attack last March.
According to the Financial Times, however, the existence of these plans does not mean that a decision to attack has been made. These are contingency options being examined as part of Tehran’s preparation for the possibility of a major new American military operation against Iran. In the same vein, Iranian forces are also reported to have considered the possibility of striking undersea fiber-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz in the event of further escalation. The references to Cyprus and Bulgaria are of direct concern to Athens, both due to the Greek military presence on the island and the geographical proximity of Bulgaria, as well as the obligations arising from both countries’ NATO membership.
Shield
Sources close to the Ministry of National Defence indicate that the Greek F-16s deployed in Cyprus are remaining in place, as is the frigate Nikiforos Fokas. The Greek military presence is therefore being maintained, with Athens closely monitoring how the threat evolves while keeping the forces already deployed in the region on station.
At the same time, defence sources indicate that reinforcing air defenses in northern Greece is under consideration, should a formal request come from Sofia. In such a scenario, the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) would be called upon to examine the return of a Patriot battery to Didymoteicho, in order to assist in the protection of Bulgaria. This move, however, is contingent on an official request from the Bulgarian side and has not yet been decided.
A separate plan is being considered for Crete. According to the same sources, the transfer of the Patriot system currently stationed in Karpathos to Crete is under consideration, with the aim of strengthening the protection of Souda Bay. The American presence and the strategic importance of the facilities make the base one of the focal points of Greek defense planning in light of the potential widening of the threat.
Athens, however, is not treating these specific scenarios as an indication of an imminent attack. The planning is precautionary in nature and is being adjusted to new realities, with the Ministry of National Defence seeking to bolster the protection of critical infrastructure without simultaneously weakening Greece’s military presence in Cyprus.
Published in Apogeumatini
