"No Offensive Use": Greece Secures Crete Naval Base Amid Widening Middle East War

09:08 6/3/2026 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has assured that the strategic Souda Bay naval base on Crete is fully secure and restricted from launching offensive operations as the Middle East conflict severely intensifies.

Speaking on national television, Mr. Gerapetritis dismissed speculation regarding potential retaliatory threats to the U.S. and NATO installation. 

He

emphasized that upgraded anti-missile and air defenses are actively shielding Greek territory. 

Simultaneously, combat-ready F-16 fighter jets and naval frigates have been deployed to protect Cyprus from the regional fallout following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s recent death and the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes.

“Souda operates under the U.S.-Greece defense pact—strict limits apply, and there is no offensive use,” Mr. Gerapetritis said. He noted that the deployment to Cyprus is a "non-negotiable" sovereign duty.

The foreign minister cautioned that the widening war, which has paralyzed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, is unlikely to end quickly. 

He urged the nation to brace for prolonged economic shocks, new migration waves, and deep geopolitical instability.

Amid the escalating crisis, Mr. Gerapetritis firmly rejected Turkey's renewed demands to demilitarize Greece's eastern islands, calling the nation's sovereign defense rights entirely non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, Athens continues its frantic civilian repatriation efforts—described by the minister as the toughest in decades—having already evacuated more than 200 citizens from the volatile region. 

Mr. Gerapetritis added that Greece will continue leveraging its diplomatic ties with the U.S., Israel, and Gulf nations to advocate for global maritime stability through the EU's Aspides naval mission.

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