The ceasefire between the US and Iran, envisaged in the June memorandum of understanding, has formally expired, having itself collapsed within a few weeks. The stalemate in the conflict that broke out on February 28 remains. And while Donald Trump ponders the strategy to adopt to break the impasse without jeopardizing the midterm elections, Tehran is raising the stakes and threatening American allies, not only in the Persian Gulf, but also in Europe .
According to the Financial Times, Iran has in fact considered expanding its range of action, including striking US military targets in the south and south-east of the Old Continent , should the American president decide to resume attacks. "NATO is ready to face any threat and will always do whatever is necessary to defend all Allies," was the Atlantic Alliance's immediate reaction to the new threat.
In particular - reports the British newspaper citing two sources close to the regime - among the possible targets being considered by Iranian forces are Bulgaria , which last month authorized the use of the Bezmer air base to refuel American military aircraft, and Cyprus, which hosts a British base already hit by a drone in March.
"As demonstrated earlier this year, when NATO air defenses successfully intercepted ballistic missiles aimed at Turkey from Iran on four separate occasions, our deterrence and defense capabilities are robust and effective," an Alliance official reassured, while Sofia announced that it had strengthened security measures, raising the alert level around Bezmer, in the south of the country, as announced by Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev.
Iran is also reportedly targeting undersea fiber optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz, while the regime continues to warn Gulf countries not to provide assistance to US military forces: "We want to warn you: any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor American army is equivalent to participation in military operations," declared the Iranian military chief of staff, Ali Abdollahi, in a statement.
