[Greek Defense Ministry via InTime News]
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said measures taken by Athens are “absolutely sufficient” to shield Greece from potential strikes, while noting that Crete, the location of the Souda Bay base, lies “at the limits of the maximum range” of Iranian weapons.
Speaking to Alpha TV, he added that if a threat emerges, “the defense systems in between will not allow it.” He confirmed the transfer of a Patriot anti-aircraft battery to Karpathos to improve national coverage.
Dendias reiterated that Greek armed forces in the Republic of Cyprus serve the entire lawful population of the island and assessed that Turkey has not reacted because it understands Greece’s need to protect the island.
Responding to remarks in Parliament by Communist Party leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas about drones launched from Lebanon, he said, “We see the trajectory of systems coming from Lebanon or Iran. We have not seen a threat toward Greece.”
He also addressed the mission of the frigate Kimon, in Cyprus, saying its crew knows the vessel well and that the Navy’s FDI systems are fully operational. Dendias said missile and drone warfare vindicates investment in the Achilles’ Shield air defense.
He declined to predict the conflict’s end, stressing Greece’s constitutional duty to protect national and European interests and saying the country is “very far” from any operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis chaired the National Council of Foreign Policy on Middle East developments and planned talks with EU and Gulf counterparts.