Athens is on high alert , as the geopolitical shockwaves of the conflict between Washington and Tehran threaten to be dangerously transferred to southeastern Europe.
The Financial Times ‘ revelations about possible Iranian strikes against American targets in countries such as Bulgaria and Cyprus have caused general alertness in the Greek military.
At the heart of the design is the absolute shielding of Souda , the naval and air base that constitutes the most important operational pillar of the allied forces in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly seriously considering moving the Patriot battery from Karpathos—where it has been deployed since last March—to Crete. The goal is to create a powerful anti-ballistic umbrella capable of repelling long-range drone or missile attacks.
Greek diplomacy and defense are moving in coordination on three critical fronts . In addition to reinforcing Crete, Athens is ready to immediately evaluate a possible request for defense assistance from Sofia , as Bulgarian supply bases are considered vulnerable. At the same time, the deterrent shield in Cyprus is maintained unchanged, with the four F-16 fighters and the frigate “Nikiforos Fokas” remaining in combat positions.
This movement immediately caused a reaction in Turkey , where the media quickly broadcast the scenario of the Patriots being withdrawn. Ankara, having previously raised objections to the presence of the system in the Dodecanese, is closely monitoring the shift of weight towards Crete and the new balances that are being formed.
Although the final decision remains open, Athens seems ready to redefine the disposition of its forces in real time, balancing precisely between national sovereignty and allied protection in a neighborhood that remains extremely flammable.
