Iran Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei Warns Tehran Will Strike U.S. Bases in Europe

Rezaei Threatens Europe Bases

Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned that Tehran would strike U.S. bases in Europe if American aircraft take off from those bases to bomb Iran. Rezaei told Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen TV in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, "If American aircraft take off from an American military base, even one located in a European country or some other distant region, to bomb Iran, we will strike those bases as well," and he added that Iran’s response to renewed U.S. attacks would "target America's more distant military installations – including the ones we have not yet attacked". Rezaei also said Iran could strike islands that he said they assume are beyond the reach of its missiles, and he spoke during an interview conducted in Tehran.

Rezaei issues Europe threat6 of 8 outlets reported it · not in Middle East Forum and 1 more▾

The Korea Times described the warning as extending beyond the Middle East to Europe, and it said Rezaei warned that Iran would strike those bases. The Times of Israel reported Rezaei’s claim that Iran would not content itself with targeting nearby bases and would also target distant American bases.

Reporting for this sectionFrance 24The Korea Times

No Negotiations, More Conditions

Rezaei told Al Mayadeen that Iran would not limit retaliation to nearby bases and warned, "If the Americans make a mistake and attack us, we will not limit ourselves to nearby bases," while he said Iran would also target bases in European countries. Rezaei rejected the idea of talks, saying, "We are not negotiating with the Americans at present, and there are no negotiations between us and the United States," and he added that reports of progress in Qatari mediation were "lies" aimed at easing economic pressure and lowering oil prices. Rezaei said Iran had set seven conditions and that the Strait of Hormuz would stay closed until they were met, while he said the first condition was an end to the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon.

Retaliation not limited5 of 7 outlets reported it · not in Middle East Forum and 1 more▾

The Times of Israel reported Rezaei’s claim that Iran’s top national security official said the U.S. must accept all seven core Iranian positions for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened, and it quoted Rezaei saying, "The first item in our diplomacy with the United States is ending the war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon." France 24 also reported that Tehran insists Washington accept demands including unfreezing assets and lifting sanctions in return for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which it said Iran has blockaded since the start of the conflict.

Reporting for this sectionIran InternationalThe Times of Israel

Europe, Cyber, and Escalation

Cyberattacks on refrigeration systems of grocery stores in Europe, including in France, marked a new phase in what RFI described as Tehran’s asymmetrical war footprint, and Paris formally blamed Iran for the attacks at the start of the week.

A European security source warned that Iran sent "very explicit messages" to countries hosting U.S. forces, telling them that if the United States and Israel begin another broad bombing campaign, it will have consequences in Europe.

i24NEWS said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent moved to a military base after Iranian threats against his life.

i24NEWS reported that Rezaei warned, "If the Americans attack us, we will also target their distant bases, in European countries," and it said the report attributed to The New York Times described Bessent moving out of his home and onto a military base.

Johan Lappasar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, said one of the worst-case scenarios could be disabling essential services such as police and fire departments, hospital operations, and public transportation, and he said: "If these services are disrupted, we will immediately feel the consequences."

Reporting for this sectionRFI