LONDON 

Romania’s American military bases could be at risk amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, a former Romanian chief of staff warned on Tuesday.

Speaking to Digi24, retired Gen. Stefan Danila said: "I wouldn't say that Romania doesn't have a problem, because there are American bases in Romania, and the Iranians said from the beginning that the American bases are the object—or identify these bases as targets for them."

"Being bases in Romania, we automatically have to take this into account, meaning there is the possibility that the Iranians will target these bases, as they have targeted other bases. The closest bases, the most accessible for their weapons, are the American bases in the Gulf," he added.

The warning follows a message from Iran indicating it would respond politically and legally if Romania allows the US to use its bases for operations against Tehran.

Danila said the Iranian statement “was not necessarily a threat, it was more of a warning.”

He also predicted an escalation in military operations before the end of a 10-day ultimatum reportedly issued by the US.

“It is very likely that near the end of the 10 days, that is, close to April 6, we will see new very, very strong, very violent actions from the US military, from aviation, with B-2 planes, with very powerful bombs.

“We may also see actions from Special Operations Forces and the forces now moving toward the Gulf, forming an attack device,” he said.

Danila said he does not think it will be a short-term war.

“I still believe that the decision to strike Iran was a wrong decision, especially the decision to eliminate the ayatollah. The declared objectives of the US — to annihilate any possibility of developing nuclear means and ballistic missiles — are perfectly justifiable,” he added.

More than 1,340 people have been killed to date in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.