Greek Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis emphasized the need for round-the-clock vigilance by Greek authorities in light of potential terrorism risks linked to escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking on SKAI’s ‘Simera’ programme on Friday, 6 February 2026, he stressed that Greece sits on the front line of the active conflict zone — a reality that heightens the risk of spillover threats targeting European locations.
Strengthening Protection of Critical Infrastructure
Chrysochoidis outlined ongoing security measures focused on border control — the top priority — as well as airports, land transport hubs, and ports: key points where people enter and exit the country. He noted past attempts in Greece by individuals allegedly directed from Iran, adding: “We have evidence that some people are being used to create problems. As the entire region catches fire, it is obvious that efforts will be made to export this instability through terrorism. That is the most critical issue.”
Ongoing Surveillance of Registered Suspects
The minister confirmed that Greek intelligence services are actively monitoring several registered suspects. “The real question is whether orders come from certain centres to carry out acts that could destabilise Europe — that would be a nightmare,” he said, underscoring the importance of sustained, 24/7 alertness. “We must build security without causing public panic. We’ll inform citizens as needed — but what kills is complacency.”
Migration Pressures: Limited Risk from Iran
When asked about migration pressures along Greece’s borders, Chrysochoidis dismissed immediate concerns. He cited strong cooperation with Turkey, a fully sealed Evros land border, continued progress on the border fence, and minimal or non-existent migrant flows there. He acknowledged challenges elsewhere — particularly on Crete — where arrivals are significant but traceable to specific origins.
On the possibility of an Iranian migration wave, he responded cautiously: “Clearly, if a humanitarian crisis emerges, such a flow could appear — and we’d face another deeply human challenge. In 2020, I stood face-to-face with 150,000 people demanding entry into Greece at Evros — it was truly alarming. Yet we managed it. Let’s hope we don’t face that again. Iran’s population is largely urban, making large-scale migration extremely unlikely — though not impossible.”