Iranians stand next to a mock Iranian Kheibarshekan ballistic missile during a rally to show their support and solidarity with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, on 4 June 2026. [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]
Greek authorities are assessing additional defensive measures amid concerns about possible Iranian strikes against targets in Europe, including a plan to relocate a Patriot air defense battery from Karpathos to Crete to strengthen protection of the Souda naval base.
Greek officials consider the possibility of Greece itself being targeted to be highly unlikely because of the country’s distance from Iran and the layers of air defense provided by third countries and US military assets operating in the region. Nevertheless, authorities are examining scenarios that could require further reinforcement of national defenses.
The review comes as Athens evaluates the consequences of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and reports by the Financial Times regarding potential Iranian attacks on targets in Europe. The Ministry of National Defense and military headquarters are analyzing possible developments that could emerge in the coming period.
According to government assessments, a strike on a target in Greece would be difficult. However, officials say the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out, particularly because some areas of the country lie within the extreme operational range of Iranian missiles and drones. Any such attack would also have to overcome multiple layers of air defense systems operated by countries along a potential flight path, as well as surveillance capabilities maintained by US forces deployed in the broader region.
