Greek Citizens Protest U.S. Aircraft Carrier Presence

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 12:04

Greek citizens staged a protest on Crete against the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier, condemning Washington’s growing military presence and escalating tensions with Iran in West Asia.

Why it matters:

The protest highlights rising public opposition in Europe to Washington’s military deployments in West Asia, widely viewed as destabilizing moves aimed at pressuring the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The big picture:

The U.S. has increased its military activity across West Asia under the pretext of confronting Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. Washington has repeatedly deployed major naval assets to the region in attempts to project power and support its allies, moves that Tehran warns only intensify instability and insecurity across the region.

What they're saying:

Greek demonstrators denounced the U.S. deployment and warned that turning regional bases into platforms for American military operations risks dragging European countries into Washington’s confrontational policies against Iran and the resistance front.

Key points:

• Protesters gathered late Tuesday on the Greek island of Crete following the arrival of the U.S. carrier.
• The demonstration took place in the port city of Chania near the naval facilities used by the U.S. military.
• Participants carried placards spelling the word “killers” in English in condemnation of U.S. military policies.
• The rally received backing from the Communist Party of Greece.
• The aircraft carrier arrived at the U.S. naval base in Souda Bay on Monday.

Go deeper:

The deployment involves the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, which docked at the U.S. naval facility in Souda Bay Naval Base on the island of Crete. The arrival coincided with escalating rhetoric from Donald Trump about potential military action against Iran, reinforcing concerns that Washington’s military buildup in West Asia is designed to intensify pressure on the Islamic Republic and the broader Axis of Resistance.

Hossein Vaez - ahmad shirzadian

https://iranpress.com/content/315569/greek-citizens-protest-us-aircraft-carrier-presence