Iran’s hardline mullahs ‘are considering attacks on European military targets’ if Trump escalates war

Iran's hardline leadership is reportedly weighing potential strikes on US and allied military targets in Europe, including bases in Bulgaria and Cyprus, should President Trump escalate the ongoing war, according to two Islamic Republic insiders cited by the Financial Times. The prospect underscores a defiant and increasingly militant mood in Tehran, where hardliners regard renewed conflict as all but inevitable, especially after talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz stalled and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei installed several veteran security hardliners in senior positions.

Potential targets reportedly include Bulgaria's Bezmer air base, recently approved for US refuelling aircraft, and Cyprus, where a British base was struck by a drone in March. Iran has also considered attacking subsea fibre-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz. Experts, including RUSI's Sidharth Kaushal, note Iran's missile threat to Europe is "real, but limited", as its Shahab-series missiles would struggle to inflict damage at longer ranges. Trump said on Tuesday there were no talks scheduled with Tehran, having previously warned he would destroy Iranian infrastructure in response to any attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, while insiders say Iran would place "no limits" on retaliation if the US "goes too far".