Iran Threatens to Attack Europe If It Joins the War

Iran’s government has warned European nations not to join the war against the country. In an official announcement from Tehran, the Iranian capital, on Tuesday 3 March local time, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that any action by European countries would be regarded as a ‘war act’, and would be answered with strikes on European cities.

This came after several European countries said they could take ‘defensive’ actions in response to Iran’s missile-launch capabilities.

In a statement, Tehran warned that such measures would be treated as direct provocation, and would broaden the country’s retaliatory strikes to target European cities and states.

“That would be a war act. Any action against Iran would be regarded as involvement with the aggressors. It would be considered an act of war against Iran,” said Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

“Defensive means the same as offensive; it does not make sense. Are they trying to eliminate Iran’s capability and capacity to resist the aggressor?” he said at a press conference to the government news agency Iran, cited by Press TV and Euronews, on Wednesday 4 March.

“It would be a pity if these countries sided with the aggressor; they have already done enough to oppose Iran,” added Baghaei.

The warning comes as European countries seek to bolster their defence, as the Iran war threatens to spill beyond the Middle East and pose a threat to European security.

Earlier on Monday, an Iranian-made combat drone targeted the United Kingdom’s Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, a member state of the European Union.

Officials believe the drone was launched from Lebanon, possibly by the Hezbollah militant group.

The attack prompted Britain to reinforce the defence of the military base on that Mediterranean island. British media reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was considering deploying warships to strengthen the base against possible future attacks.

French President Emmanuel Macron has also ordered the French aircraft carrier to move toward the Middle East.