“As demonstrated at the beginning of this year, when NATO air defense systems successfully intercepted ballistic missiles flying four times from Iran to Turkey, our deterrence and defense position is strong and effective,” said an Alliance representative, quoted by Reuters.
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In March, NATO air defense systems shot down several Iranian missiles flying into Turkish airspace. At that time, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth hinted at NATO’s Article 5.
An Iranian missile flying into Turkish airspace was shot down in the Mediterranean Sea by a US Navy destroyer belonging to NATO’s air defense system, CNN reported at the time.
“We warn all countries to refrain from actions that would lead to further escalation of the conflict in the region. In view of this, we will continue consultations with NATO and our other allies,” said the Turkish Ministry of Defense in March.
Iran plans to strike Europe: 2 countries targeted
15min reminds that on Wednesday it was announced that Iran is considering attacking US military targets in Europe if Donald Trump escalates the war. This was stated by regime-affiliated sources to FT.
Talks about Bulgaria and Cyprus
Two regime informants told FT that Iranian forces assessed strike possibilities against US facilities in Southeastern European countries, such as Bulgaria, which last month approved the use of its Bezmer air force base for US refueling aircraft.
One of the sources added that Cyprus, where a British air base was hit by a drone strike in March, was also among potential targets for retaliatory actions if the US renewed its offensive.
Could attack fiber optic internet
Sources said that Iranian forces separately examined the possibility of attacking underwater fiber optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz if the situation escalated. This threat reflects Tehran’s belligerent mood – many regime representatives increasingly view the renewal of war not as a possibility but as a matter of time.
Negotiations on opening the strait have stalled, and last week Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei appointed hardline supporters to key security and military posts. On Tuesday, D. Trump stated that “there are no negotiations or talks with Tehran and none are planned.”
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other military leaders warned that in any new large-scale war, Iran would abandon its previous strategy of attacking only US military facilities, energy infrastructure, and other targets in the Middle East and would strike in more distant regions.
How serious such attacks would be
Last month, the Guard threatened the United Kingdom over American use of British military bases, stating that “any base used to prepare attacks against Iranian territory will be considered a legitimate target.”
Sidharth Kaushal, a researcher at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, described the threat posed by Iranian missiles to targets in Europe and elsewhere as “real but limited.” Iran could use medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the Shahab series, against US targets in Southern and Southeastern Europe, but S. Kaushal noted that it would be difficult for them to cause significant damage at greater distances.
According to sources, Iran’s retaliatory actions would depend on Washington’s moves. One said the regime is preparing a plan to further expand the conflict if Donald Trump implements previous threats to attack Iranian infrastructure. The US president stated last month that every time the Islamic Republic targets a ship in the strait, Washington will destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant.
The second informant said that in case of US aggression, Iran would “set no limits” on its response. “If the US goes too far, Iran will defend itself at any cost, cross regional boundaries, and also strike Europe,” the source said.
Trump ordered to stop talks with Iran and “strangle” the country
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump ordered to stop talks with Iran because Tehran is not ready to make concessions, CNN reported citing senior US officials. According to them, the instruction to cease dialogue with Iranian negotiators was given to the American leader’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Vice President J. D. Vance, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Interviewees also noted that the White House abandoned attempts to “crush” Iran “as soon as possible” and now hopes to “strangle” it over time.
Until then, D. Trump repeatedly stated that talks with Iran were progressing successfully and a new agreement could be reached soon. On August 17, sources from the Al Arabiya TV channel reported that Washington and Tehran agreed to extend the ceasefire regime for another 60 days. However, after that, the White House chief wrote on the social network Truth Social that currently “no negotiations or contacts with the Islamic Republic of Iran are taking place or planned.” He added that the maritime blockade of Iranian ports continues, and the Strait of Hormuz is cleared of mines and open to shipping.
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