Chaos spreads: IRGC warns that bases in Greece and Cyprus will be reduced to ashes as the US deploys laser-equipped warships

While the US has sent a new peace proposal to Iran—via Pakistan—which continues to include outrageous demands, and while Iran's improved proposal has once again been rejected by the Americans, the war threatens to spill beyond the borders of the Persian Gulf and escalate into a regional conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran issued a statement warning that if aggression against Iran is repeated, the war will this time expand beyond the region, promising catastrophic strikes in places the enemy cannot imagine. Among these locations, according to Iranian media reports, are bases and other military assets in Greece and Cyprus. At the same time, the IRGC warned that Iran possesses new, incredibly destructive weapons that have not been used thus far. On the US side, the USS Spruance is part of the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, and the destroyer USS John Finn is on a combat mission in the Indian Ocean. Both ships are equipped with the ODIN laser system and will soon be deployed to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Shock warning from IRGC: If the US strikes again, the war will go global and chaos will consume many regions

In a message to the United States, the IRGC emphasized that the "American-Zionist enemy" has not learned from its repeated strategic defeats by Iran and has once again resorted to threats. "Although they attacked us with the full capabilities of two armies—the best-equipped armies in the world—we did not utilize all the capabilities of the Islamic Revolution against them," the IRGC stated. "But now, if aggression against Iran is repeated, the regional war will expand beyond the area, and our overwhelming strikes will lead you to absolute destruction in places you cannot imagine." The IRGC declared, "We are soldiers of war, and you will see our power on the battlefield, not in hollow statements or on social media." The warning comes amid escalating war rhetoric from US President Trump, who has threatened in recent days to launch new strikes against Iran if indirect diplomatic talks do not result in an agreement.

What does the warning from the IRGC mean? They threaten to cause destruction in Greece and Cyprus

The statement by the IRGC is remarkable and significant for many reasons. In their recent announcement, issued in response to the US threat, the Revolutionary Guards declared that if the US attacks Iran again, this time it will not be a regional war but an inter-regional one. This message from the IRGC must be taken seriously. During the "40-day war," various areas of the region, such as the Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, were attacked. Signs of preparation for a larger war were observed then. In that conflict, missiles and drones targeted the Diego Garcia base, the Mediterranean, Cyprus, and Turkey. Although these missions were often not authorized by Headquarters, they proved that Iran can strike areas outside the Middle East and West Asia if necessary.

Which are the most important areas outside the Middle East that could become targets for Iranian missiles?

1. Diego Garcia: On April 1, at 14:05, two medium-range ballistic missiles were launched against the joint US-British military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Reuters reported that a US warship attempted to intercept the missiles, although it was unclear if the interception was successful. This was the first attack against Diego Garcia since the base opened, located 4,000 kilometers from Iran.

2. Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey: Parts of Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece are within Iran's range. US bases are located in these areas, and the US occasionally launches missiles and aircraft from them. Therefore, these areas could be within range, and any Iranian strikes would be catastrophic.

3. Caucasus: Some governments in the Caucasus region are friendly toward Israel and the US. Azerbaijan is one of the countries that has repeatedly shown it is not afraid to cooperate with Israel. If cooperation increases, this region could also fall within the range of Iranian missiles. However, Iran has shown it has no interest in violating good neighborliness unless forced.

4. Parts of East Africa: Countries like Somalia and Djibouti have extensive cooperation with Israel and Saudi Arabia. In the event of a severe conflict, these areas could also be targeted. However, Iran has shown interest in cooperation with African countries and prefers not to target them.

5. Parts of Europe: Parts of Eastern Europe could become targets for Iranian intercontinental or ballistic missiles if European countries continue to provide logistical assistance to the United States.

6. Seas that could become a target for Iran: Part of the Iran-US conflict is naval. US warships sometimes approach the Persian Gulf and retreat to the Indian Ocean after Iranian attacks. In the previous war, Iran chose not to attack these ships, but Iran’s strategy may change in the next potential war, and it may attack significant US ships in the Indian Ocean.

Iran is ready to use new, terrible weapons in case of a US attack

Iran possesses modern weapons that have not yet been used on the battlefield in the conflict with the US and Israel, an Iranian military source stated. "We have manufactured modern weapons domestically that have not yet been used on the battlefield and have not actually been tested," said an Iranian military official, commenting on Iran's readiness for a potential repeat attack by the US. According to him, Iran is not lacking the means to repel attacks. "Regarding equipment and defensive capabilities, we face no shortage that would prevent us from defending our country. This time, we do not intend to act with restraint." On May 18, CNN reported, citing informed sources, that the Pentagon had prepared a target list for strikes against Iran in case President Trump ordered new attacks. Trump called on Iran to speed up the deal, saying time is critical. Trump stated that the US planned to attack Iran but postponed it at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to allow for a potential deal. At the same time, he ordered his military leadership to be prepared for a full-scale attack if the deal fails. The US leader did not rule out the possibility of the US attacking Iran again toward the end of the week, meaning May 23-24, 2026. The Iranian Foreign Ministry responded that the country was prepared for any conflict scenario.

Mohamed Baker Qalibaf (Iran): The enemy is insidiously preparing for attacks against Iran... but will fail

In his third audio message to the Iranian people, Mohamed Baker Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated: "We have been witnessing a ceasefire on the war fronts for about a month, but the enemy’s overt and covert movements show that the enemy, alongside financial and political pressures, has not abandoned its military goals and is seeking a new round of war and new adventures." He noted that the enemy is stuck in a strategic challenge. "The reality is that the situation regarding gasoline prices, the bond market, bank interest rates, and the inflation rate affecting the main living costs in American society have caused protests among the people of that country, to the point where even a large part of Trump's supporters consider the US war against Iran to be contrary to his campaign promises." Qalibaf continued: "This chaotic situation created in American public opinion and the economy has left the US president hesitating between two choices. The first is to prioritize ending the war, with the loser paying the cost, and the second is to restart the war or continue the naval blockade to force Iran into surrender." The Speaker emphasized: "Faced with such a plan, we must strengthen our readiness to react dynamically and effectively to potential attacks, as well as increase economic resilience and deter the enemy from miscalculations."

The War Zone: The US has deployed two laser-equipped destroyers near Iran, and will strike with Tomahawks

Two American destroyers operating in the US Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa, are equipped with laser systems, The War Zone revealed. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal emphasized that the US will strike Iran with Tomahawk missiles from destroyers. As noted, the destroyer USS Spruance is part of the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, and the destroyer USS John Finn is on a combat mission in the Indian Ocean. Both ships are equipped with the ODIN laser system, designed to disorient drones and neutralize cameras and sensors on ships, submarines, manned aircraft, and drones. In total, the US Navy has deployed directed-energy weapons on nine ships, The War Zone reports.

The Iranian authority managing the Strait of Hormuz defines a surveillance zone reaching Fujairah

The Persian Gulf Straits Authority (PGSA) stated that its management zone reaches "the line connecting Mubarak in Iran and southern Fujairah in the UAE, on the eastern side of the strait, extending to the line connecting the tip of Kesm Island in Iran and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE, on the western side." "Movement within this area for transit through the Strait of Hormuz requires coordination" with the PGSA "and obtaining permission from this body." Iran closed the strategic corridor to enemies and their allies in retaliation for the latest unprovoked aggression by the US and the Israeli regime. It began implementing much stricter controls after President Trump announced the continuation of the illegal naval blockade of Iranian ships and ports on April 13, violating the terms of the ceasefire announced unilaterally earlier that month. Amid these developments, Iran introduced the PGSA as a new institutional mechanism to regulate and oversee ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The war has lasted 3 months and the US still has not found ways to exit the battlefield

The US leadership, after traveling to China without securing China's help in opening the Strait of Hormuz, is now facing a war that was supposed to last a few weeks but has entered its third month. US claims regarding the destruction of Iran’s military capacity are exaggerated. Despite heavy attacks by the US and Israel, intelligence estimates show that Iran still maintains a large part of its missile and drone stockpiles, while the US has used a large quantity of defensive munitions and long-range missiles. If America expands attacks to critical infrastructure, Iran will likely target energy facilities and desalination plants in countries of the region, an action that could create a severe economic and humanitarian crisis and send oil prices skyrocketing far beyond current levels. The assassination of Iranian officials has backfired, leading to a more radical atmosphere instead of weakening the government.

All 3 options available to the Americans in the Persian Gulf are catastrophic

All three main US military options will prove extremely destructive.

1. Continuation and expansion of airstrikes against Iranian infrastructure, an option that could plunge the global economy into a more severe crisis with Iranian retaliation against oil and energy facilities in the region.

2. A ground operation or the capture of Kharg Island and Iran's uranium reserves, an action that would require the long-term presence of thousands of American forces near Iranian territory, making them easy targets for Iranian attacks.

3. Opening the Strait of Hormuz with military force, an operation that would require an aircraft carrier, dozens of destroyers, planes, helicopters, and thousands of ground troops, and even then, an Iranian drone or missile attack could disrupt the entire operation.

Trump must not listen to the warmongers and, instead of seeking a "total military victory," should seek a deal with Iran that will relax sanctions and open the way for nuclear talks. Contrary to Trump's claims, the United States has not yet achieved victory, and the probability of success is dramatically low.

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