Iran Warns Germany of Retaliation if It Joins Military Action

Iran has issued a direct warning to Germany, stating that any German bases, camps, or facilities in the region will be considered legitimate targets if Berlin openly joins military action against Tehran. The warning was reported by Iran's Fars News Agency, citing its security and defense correspondent. According to the report, Iran's action stems from what it describes as Germany's "intensifying anti-Iranian efforts." Some sources indicate the threat specifically targets German facilities in the Middle East, not those within Germany itself.

This warning follows a pattern of Iranian threats against European countries hosting or allowing the use of American bases for operations against Iran. In August 2026, the Financial Times reported on internal Iranian assessments of potential attacks on U.S. assets in Europe, including Bulgaria and Cyprus, in response to U.S. escalation. Iranian spokespeople have consistently stated that any base used for attacks against Iran would be a legitimate target.

Earlier in October 2026, German and Western media, citing Western intelligence, reported that Iranian intelligence services had identified U.S. bases in Germany, specifically Ramstein and Spangdahlem, as potential targets for covert operations. Israel had reportedly alerted the U.S. and Germany to this risk approximately three weeks prior.

Germany has previously stated, including in March 2026, that it has no intention of directly participating in U.S.-Israeli attacks against Iran. However, German soldiers are stationed in Jordan and Iraq, and Germany hosts key U.S. bases in Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johan Wädell have identified Iran as a threat, partly due to its missile program which could reach Europe.

Concurrently, the United States has begun evacuating diplomats and their families from several Middle Eastern locations due to serious intelligence warnings about Iranian plots to assassinate American officials. Reports from Axios and The New York Times suggest Iran has significantly increased its efforts to carry out assassinations of American diplomats and senior officials in the Middle East and beyond. Earlier on the same day, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated he had clear intelligence signs that Iran was preparing to carry out an action against Israel in the coming days.