The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a threat against Albania, according to Polish outlet Do Rzeczy, suggesting that Tehran may target the Ashraf-3 base, which has been the headquarters of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran, an opposition to the Ayatollahs’ regime, since 2013. It is estimated that up to 3,000 Persians have found refuge in Albania.

The published statement indicates that Albania could be the target of Iranian retaliation, similar to the British military base in Cyprus, which was targeted at Akrotiri a few days ago. This is a clear statement from Tehran that it possesses the military capabilities to extend its military operations beyond the Middle East.

In a post on X on March 1, Albanian President Bajram Begaj stated: “Albania stands with our strategic allies in efforts to eliminate any terrorist threat and to confront the Ayatollah regime of Iran. We express our full support for Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain — whose citizens are facing aggressive attacks from the Ayatollah regime. We pray for peace, security, and the restoration of stability in the region.”

“Europe should definitely expect that exactly what happened in the Gulf could happen and should happen in Europe,” Gil Messing, chief of staff at Israeli cyber firm Check Point, told Politico, with attacks reportedly already having hit Cyprus, where a U.K. military base also suffered a drone attack.

Cypriot media reported that the British Akrotiri base was hit by a “small drone.” This information was later confirmed by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who specified that the drone was an Iranian Shahed drone. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no casualties but caused “minor damage.”

“I want to make it clear: our country is not participating in any military operation and does not intend to participate in any military operation,” the Cypriot president said in a statement, quoted by Reuters.