Greece reportedly relocates Patriot battery amid Iranian threats to US bases
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Greece has relocated a Patriot air defense battery from the island of Karpathos to Crete to bolster protection around the strategically vital Souda Bay military base, according to sources cited by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
The system, along with its personnel and equipment, was transferred overnight on Sunday and is expected to be positioned near the base, which hosts Greek, US, and NATO forces.
The decision follows reports of threats by senior Iranian officials against American military targets in Europe.
Sources close to leadership in Tehran told the Financial Times that Iran has assessed the option of striking US assets in southeastern Europe—including facilities in Bulgaria and Cyprus—if US President Donald Trump escalates the ongoing conflict.
One Iranian insider stated: “Should the US go too far, Iran will defend itself at any price, go beyond the region and hit Europe too.”
Another warned that “a very big mistake, such as hitting our infrastructure, could make the war go beyond the region and reach Europe.”
Allied intelligence assessments indicate that Iran retains a significant number of ballistic missiles with ranges exceeding 2,000 kilometers, potentially placing targets in southeastern Europe, including Greece, within reach.
Greek officials are evaluating risks to critical infrastructure and military facilities as tensions continue between Iran, the United States, and ‘Israel’.
Greece’s Defense Ministry and armed forces remain on heightened alert.
The Patriot battery had been deployed to Karpathos in March as part of Greece’s broader effort to reinforce defenses against ballistic missile threats during the earlier phase of US and ‘Israeli’ operations against Iran.
Souda Bay, on Crete’s northwestern coast, is one of the most important military hubs in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Athens is maintaining close contacts with the United States and ‘Israel’ regarding potential threats to Greek and Cypriot facilities.
Greece is also prepared to consider providing air defense assistance to Bulgaria if Sofia submits a formal request.
Meanwhile, Athens is reviewing whether to extend or terminate the deployment of another Greek Patriot unit in Saudi Arabia, where it has operated since 2021 and intercepted missiles and drones targeting Saudi infrastructure.
