Iran May Strike US Assets in Europe if Trump Escalates War: Bulgaria, Cyprus Among Potential Targets, Report Says

The possibility of the conflict between Iran and the United States spreading beyond the Middle East is coming under renewed scrutiny after a report claimed Tehran has considered targeting American military assets in Europe if Washington escalates the confrontation.

According to the Financial Times, people close to the Iranian regime said Iranian forces have assessed potential targets in southeastern Europe as part of contingency planning for a wider conflict.

The reported plans have not been independently confirmed, and it remains unclear whether Tehran has made any final decision to carry out such attacks.

Bulgaria and Cyprus reportedly among areas being assessed

Two people described as regime insiders told the Financial Times that Iranian forces have considered possible strikes against US military assets in southeastern European countries.

Bulgaria was reportedly among the countries being assessed after Sofia approved the use of its Bezmer air base by US refuelling aircraft.

Cyprus was also reportedly mentioned as a potential target by one insider. The island has British military facilities, and one of those bases was targeted by a drone earlier this year.

The reported consideration of European targets would represent a significant expansion of Iran’s potential response if fighting with the US intensifies.

Iran could look beyond military bases

The reported contingency planning is not limited to conventional military facilities.

According to the report, Iranian forces have also explored the possibility of targeting subsea fibre-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz if tensions continue to rise.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, making any disruption to infrastructure in or around the waterway potentially significant for global communications, energy markets and shipping.

Any attack on undersea cables would also carry major geopolitical consequences because such infrastructure supports international data and communications networks.

How serious is the threat to Europe?

While the reported plans have raised concerns, analysts caution against assuming that Iran could easily inflict major damage on targets across Europe.

Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, described the Iranian missile threat to Europe as real but limited.

Iran possesses medium-range ballistic missiles, including missiles from the Shahab family, which could potentially be used against targets in southern and southeastern Europe.

However, longer-range strikes present additional challenges, particularly when it comes to accuracy and the ability to cause substantial damage at greater distances.

That means the existence of a potential capability does not necessarily translate into an imminent attack.

Tehran reportedly preparing for a wider conflict

The reported warnings come amid heightened tensions surrounding the possibility of renewed military confrontation.

According to the Financial Times, some officials and figures within the Iranian establishment increasingly view another escalation as a matter of when rather than if.

The situation has been further complicated by stalled discussions over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and changes within Iran’s military and security leadership.

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Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reportedly said on Tuesday that there were no talks or conversations with Tehran either taking place or scheduled.

Iran has already warned Britain

Iranian military officials have previously issued warnings over the use of foreign military bases for operations against Iranian territory.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly warned the UK that any British base used to launch an attack against Iran would be considered a legitimate target.

Such statements have increased concern among countries hosting American or British military facilities, particularly if they are seen by Tehran as supporting US operations.

Tehran’s response would depend on Washington

The people cited by the Financial Times indicated that Iran’s response would depend heavily on what actions Washington takes.

One insider reportedly said Tehran was preparing a strategy to widen the conflict if Trump follows through on previous threats against Iranian infrastructure.

Trump had previously warned that the US could target Iranian infrastructure in response to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Another insider reportedly claimed that Iran would impose “no limits” on its response if the US launched a major attack.

The person was quoted as saying Iran would defend itself “at any price” and could potentially expand its response beyond the Middle East.

What could happen next?

For now, the reported European targets remain part of contingency planning rather than confirmed attack plans.

Any Iranian strike against US-linked facilities in Europe would represent a dramatic escalation, potentially drawing additional countries directly into the conflict and creating pressure on NATO members to respond.

The possibility also demonstrates how quickly a conflict centred on the Middle East could develop wider international consequences.

For European governments hosting US military assets, the latest reports are likely to increase scrutiny of base security and the potential risks associated with supporting American operations.

The immediate focus, however, remains on whether diplomatic efforts can prevent another major escalation — and whether the Strait of Hormuz can remain open without becoming the trigger for a much broader confrontation.