N. Prabhakaran Dubai: Concerns are mounting in Europe regarding Iran's capability to launch deep-strike attacks using suicide drones and...
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: Concerns are mounting in Europe regarding Iran's capability to launch deep-strike attacks using suicide drones and missiles, alongside warnings that terrorist 'sleeper cells' could unleash chaos across the continent.
Iran and Iranian-backed militias continue their attacks against Israel and Arab nations. The fear that the conflict could spread to Europe intensified following an Iranian drone strike on a British RAF base in Cyprus. This escalation follows the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran's most lethal weapon, the Khorramshahr 4 missile, has a range of 2,000 to 3,000 km. This allows it to reach countries such as Germany, Italy, Poland, and Denmark. Additionally, Shahed suicide drones, with a 2,000 km range, are capable of causing significant destruction across various parts of Europe. Countries including Germany have warned that pro-Iranian terror groups hidden within Europe could become active at any moment.
Iran launched two drone attacks on the British military base, Akrotiri, in Cyprus. These were successfully intercepted and shot down by British Typhoon fighter jets.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in a joint communique that they would take necessary measures to destroy Iran's missile capabilities. However, differences of opinion persist among European nations regarding positions on international law.
Iran possesses one of the largest missile arsenals in the Middle East. Its primary weapons include:
Khorramshahr 4: A ballistic missile capable of carrying approximately 1,500 kg of explosives. Believed to be based on North Korean missile technology, its 3,000 km range brings major European cities like Berlin and Copenhagen within its reach.
Shahed 136 Drones: Known as 'Kamikaze' or suicide drones, these are designed to crash into targets and explode. While slower than missiles, launching them in large swarms helps overwhelm and destroy defense systems.
Decentralization of Power
This strategy allows lower-level military personnel to make independent decisions and launch attacks even if the central leadership (the Supreme Leader or top generals) is eliminated. Since Iran currently lacks a centralized command, enemy nations find it difficult to predict from where or when an attack might occur.
Sleeper Cells in Europe
A major concern for Europe is the presence of pro-Iranian sleeper cells. These are spies or terrorists who live among the general public and remain inactive for years. They may have links to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) or Lebanon's Hezbollah. Upon receiving orders from leadership, they may engage in attacks or acts of sabotage. MI5 has reported approximately 20 assassination attempts or conspiracies linked to Iran in the UK over the last 12 months.
Diplomatic Stance
Germany and the UK favor joining the United States in attacking Iranian missile launch sites. However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has warned that US and Israeli attacks violate international law and will spread further unrest globally. Sánchez's order to remove US fighter jets from Spain has also reportedly provoked American authorities.
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