The withdrawal of Patriot air defense systems operated by Greece from the island of Karpathos has begun, Greek defense news outlet OnAlert.gr reported on Sunday.
The relocation moves the systems to Souda Bay, a strategically important military hub on Crete's northwestern coast, used by Greece, the US and NATO, and hosting significant naval and air infrastructure.
The Patriot systems, deployed to Karpathos during the Middle East crisis, left the island's port early Sunday aboard a barge.
The transfer comes amid heightened security concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Financial Times reported that Iran was considering possible strikes against US targets in southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greek F-16 fighter jets deployed to Cyprus will remain on the island.
Athens is also prepared to consider a possible new request from Bulgaria for air and missile defense assistance if one is submitted.
Separately, the future of a Greek Patriot battery deployed in Saudi Arabia remains under consideration, with authorities weighing either a short-term extension of its deployment or its withdrawal.
A final decision is expected in the coming days and would require approval by Greece's National Defense Council.
