Iran has considered the possibility of expanding the conflict beyond the Middle East, including attacks on US military targets in Europe, if the United States launches another strike against Tehran.
According to sources close to the Iranian regime cited by the Financial Times, Iranian forces have analyzed scenarios for attacks on US military installations in Southeast Europe, including Bulgaria. Sofia has approved the use of the Besmer air base by US refueling aircraft.
Cyprus, where the British base in Akrotiri was hit by a drone in March, is also mentioned on the list of possible targets for retaliation.
Sources have also revealed that the Iranian military has considered the possibility of striking underwater communication cables in the Strait of Hormuz area, in the event of a further escalation of the conflict.
According to Financial Times sources, there is a growing conviction in Tehran that a new military confrontation with the US is a matter of "when" and not "if".
Negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have stalled, with US President Donald Trump declaring on Tuesday that there are no talks or contacts underway with Tehran.
In the event of a new conflict, Iranian officials have warned that the response may not be limited to American targets in the Middle East.
Siddharth Kaushal, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), estimates that Iranian missiles could pose a threat to US installations in southern and southeastern Europe. However, he emphasizes that the ability to cause significant damage at very long distances remains limited.
A source quoted by the FT warned that if the US "goes too far", Iran could expand the conflict beyond the region.
