European Capitals on High Alert as Iran Threatens Direct Retaliation Against Nations Supporting U.S. Military Operations

As Iran warns of attacks on European cities, governments step up security against missiles, drones, and cyber threats linked to the widening regional war.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 8:01 AM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politico

Tehran Declares European Support an "Act of War"

Tensions between the West and the Islamic Republic have reached a critical flashpoint, with Tehran warning that any European involvement in the current conflict will be met with direct attacks on European soil. Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, stated that military action against Iran would be regarded as complicity with the "aggressors" and constitutes an act of war. This rhetoric has prompted an immediate response from NATO leadership, with Secretary General Mark Rutte warning that Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities now pose an existential threat to Europe, labeling the regime an "exporter of chaos" with a decades-long history of regional destabilization.

Missile Vulnerabilities: From Athens to Berlin

Military analysts are currently assessing the reach of Iran’s ballistic arsenal, which includes medium-range systems like the Sejjil and Khorramshahr. These missiles, with a range of approximately 2,000 kilometers, put parts of southeastern Europe—including Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania—within direct striking distance. Romania has already responded by increasing military security at the U.S. missile shield site in Deveselu. Furthermore, experts at Defense Express suggest that with a lighter warhead, the Khorramshahr could potentially reach as far as Rome or Berlin. While Tehran has historically claimed a self-imposed 2,000 kilometer limit, the development of experimental intercontinental missiles remains a significant concern for EU defense planners.

The "Shahed" Drone Threat and Sleeper Agents

The use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) represents Iran's most flexible and immediate threat to European territory. "Shahed" drones, already extensively used in the conflict in Ukraine, have a claimed range of 2,500 kilometers. A recent strike on the British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, likely launched by Hezbollah proxies in Lebanon, has already demonstrated the regime's willingness to target European military infrastructure. Security experts also warn that Iran may utilize sleeper agents to conduct low-cost, high-disruption attacks using commercially available drones to halt traffic at major civilian airports or strike sensitive internal targets.