Iran is weighing potential strikes on United States military targets in Europe if President Donald Trump increases military actions in their ongoing conflict, according to a report by the *Financial Times*. Sources close to the Iranian government identified a British air base in Cyprus, which was previously targeted by a drone in March, as a possible target. Other locations reportedly under consideration include refilling sites in Bulgaria, such as the Bezmer air base, which recently granted the U.S. access.
These reports follow a statement by a senior Iranian official to Reuters on Monday that Tehran is considering a shift to a "fully offensive" military strategy. Tensions between the two nations escalated further on Tuesday when President Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz to be "NEW US territory" on the social media platform Truth Social. The president stated that there are currently no talks scheduled with the Iranian government and that a naval blockade of the region remains in effect.
Conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime shipping route, intensified after a 14-point memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistan collapsed last month. The disagreement centers on a clause regarding the administration of the waterway. Iran contends the agreement maintains its sovereign control over the strait, while the U.S. argues the deal required Iran to provide unfettered access for commercial vessels. Following Iranian attacks on three commercial ships, the U.S. revoked sanctions relief and conducted strikes on more than 80 military targets.
The situation also places European nations and U.S. allies in a heightened security position. If Iran moves forward with its reported plan to target U.S. assets in Cyprus or Bulgaria, these sovereign nations could be drawn into a broader regional conflict. For U.S. service members stationed at these European bases, the shift in Iranian strategy to a "fully offensive" stance represents a direct change in their daily security protocols and physical risk levels. The collapse of the 60-day negotiation period on Monday, which was intended to secure a ceasefire, further reduces the immediate likelihood of a diplomatic resolution.
What happens next remains uncertain as both sides maintain opposing positions on the legality of the naval blockade and the status of the waterway. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that the route will remain closed until the U.S. lifts the blockade, removes sanctions, and releases frozen Iranian assets. Meanwhile, Oman continues to work on a separate resolution for ship transits, despite President Trump's recent threat to take military action against Oman if it interferes with U.S. objectives. No specific dates for new negotiations or court proceedings were reported.