Iran reportedly eyes US air bases Ramstein and Spangdahlem in Germany
Western intelligence officials cited by WirtschaftsWoche say Iranian services are looking at the Ramstein and Spangdahlem bases, two US installations that support operations against Iran. The Israeli warning reportedly came about three weeks before the reports.
What the reports say
Western intelligence officials cited by WirtschaftsWoche say Iranian intelligence services have identified two US bases in Germany as possible targets: the Ramstein air base in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Spangdahlem base in the Eifel. The concern is linked to the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, which broke out at the end of February. About three weeks ago, Israeli services, among others, reportedly warned US partners and German security services of the threat. The New York Times reported the Israeli warning separately. A Reuters source confirmed that German services have observed heightened Iranian activity for several weeks, without directly addressing the WirtschaftsWoche findings.
- War between the United States, Israel and Iran breaks out
- Israeli services warn US partners and German security services of a threat
- Twelve B-1 bombers leave a British air base for the United States
- WirtschaftsWoche publishes its report on Iranian intelligence targeting US bases in Germany
Why these two bases
Spangdahlem hosts the 52nd Fighter Wing, which operates mainly F-16 Falcon jets, and has for months served as a logistics stop for fighter aircraft the US has sent into the Iran war. Ramstein is the headquarters of US Air Forces in Europe and Africa and hosts the NATO Allied Air Command. It is also the main hub for cargo, troop and flight movements between the United States and the Middle East, and Ziare describes it as one of the most important US military facilities in Europe. According to WirtschaftsWoche, a satellite relay station at Ramstein forwards signals to US drones in the Middle East, because direct control from the United States would be too slow. Since US military operations against Iran began, air traffic has risen markedly, including tanker aircraft partly moved from Spain after Spanish restrictions.
Concerns about covert drone attacks
US services reportedly fear that Iranian services could carry out covert drone attacks on US bases in Europe, destroying numerous aircraft and killing soldiers, according to New York Times research cited by WirtschaftsWoche. The concern extends to British bases, and WirtschaftsWoche reports that twelve B-1 bombers left a British air base for the United States at the weekend. Washington said on Monday that the withdrawal of B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford was decided because of the threat from Iran. British police are investigating suspicions of preparations for an attack on that base, and Tehran denies any role in preparing an attack on it.
Official responses and open questions
Ziare reports that the German Defence Ministry and US forces stationed in Germany had not immediately commented on the information. According to the Western officials cited, the Israeli warning was meant to prepare allies for possible Iranian action against US military infrastructure on German soil. The evaluations reportedly considered drone attacks but did not indicate a specific moment or target. Any attack on US targets in Germany would carry significant implications for European security and for relations between NATO and Iran.
