Iranian leaders are contemplating renewed attacks on a British base in Cyprus and potential strikes on U.S. military sites in Europe, should President Donald Trump escalate the ongoing conflict, according to reports.
RAF Akrotiri, a key center for UK air operations in the eastern Mediterranean, was previously targeted by an Iranian drone in March. The strike damaged a hangar and led to a diplomatic dispute, with Cypriot officials appealing to Iran not to target the island nation.
A Cypriot government source stated, "We are in contact with Iran, and Cyprus is not a target." The UK Ministry of Defence has asserted that the security of RAF Akrotiri, its personnel, and their families is its highest priority, maintained by "robust, multi-layered security measures."
Following the March drone incident, families of personnel stationed at Akrotiri were evacuated due to aerial threats. The report highlights that Iranian forces are also considering U.S. military installations in eastern and southern Europe as potential targets.
This stance from Iran comes after President Trump reportedly threatened to resume attacks on Iran's civilian infrastructure. Iranian insiders, speaking to the Financial Times, indicated that the country would place "no limits" on its response to any U.S. action against its natural resources, energy plans, or transport networks, vowing to defend itself "at any price."
Analysts suggest that Iran's strategy may involve targeting countries hosting bases, such as Cyprus, that have expressed opposition to the conflict, in an effort to pressure them into calling for a halt to hostilities, similar to Jordan's position when its U.S. bases came under fire.
Hardliners within the Iranian government are reportedly pushing for a more aggressive posture against the U.S. and its allies, with potential actions including targeting undersea cables in the region.
Diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations aimed at ending the war have thus far been unsuccessful. The U.S. has been applying financial pressure on Iran through port blockades, and the United Arab Emirates recently announced it was suspending trade with Iran.