NATO ready to face threats after Iran reportedly considered targeting US assets
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Wednesday stated it is ready to face any threat amid reports that Iran had considered attacks on United States military assets in Europe if US President Donald Trump escalated the war.
“NATO is ready to face any threat and will always do what is necessary to defend all member states of the alliance,” a NATO official told Anadolu in a written statement.
The official also noted that NATO had intercepted ballistic missiles heading towards Turkiye from Iran on four separate occasions earlier this year.
“As demonstrated earlier this year when NATO air defences successfully intercepted ballistic missiles heading towards Turkiye from Iran on four separate occasions, our deterrence and defence posture is strong and effective,” the statement read.
The NATO statement came after several media reports on Wednesday said Iranian forces had assessed the possibility of attacks on US military assets in several southeastern European countries, including Bulgaria, which last month approved the use of Bezmer Air Base by US refuelling aircraft.
Cyprus, home to a British air base that was struck by drones in March, was also reported to be on the list of potential targets if the US launched further strikes.
The reports emerged as negotiations over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled and prospects for renewed talks between Tehran and Washington continue to dim.
Trump said on Tuesday there were no “ongoing or scheduled talks or conversations” with Tehran.
Iranian military officials had previously warned that any military base used to launch attacks on Iranian territory could be considered a target.
Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending the war and paving the way for a broader agreement. However, the deal subsequently collapsed amid accusations of violations from both sides and a resumption of hostilities.
Since then, diplomatic efforts have failed to achieve a breakthrough to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or resume negotiations towards a broader agreement.