Tehran threatens to strike US military bases in Europe if host countries facilitate attacks

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned on Monday that Tehran could strike US military bases in Europe if host countries participate in or facilitate military actions against the Islamic Republic. Baghaei stated that European nations have no reason to fear Iran unless they permit their territory to be used for military operations against the country. He further asserted that Tehran will not allow the conflict to conclude on the aggressor's terms. This warning follows previous rhetoric from Iranian officials regarding countries hosting American forces. In July, Baghaei cautioned Bulgaria that allowing US military aircraft to utilize its territory for operations against Iran would make Sofia complicit in what Tehran describes as aggression. The Bulgarian government has previously rejected suggestions that its territory would be used for offensive operations against Iran. Recent reports indicate that Iranian officials are increasingly signaling that US military assets outside the Middle East, including those in southeastern Europe, could become targets if Tehran perceives them as being involved in attacks against the country.