Albania has security measures in place after the United States Embassy in Tirana warned that groups linked to Iran may target Americans and US-associated entities in the country.

In a security alert issued on April 1, the US Embassy in Tirana said: “Groups associated with Iran may seek to target entities associated with the US or Iranian opposition elements in Albania. They may also target common venues, such as tourist sites, shopping malls, hotels, clubs, and restaurants. We encourage American citizens to exercise increased vigilance.”

The embassy urged US citizens to “stay alert”, “monitor local media for updates”, “be aware of your surroundings” and “review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency”.

Albanian authorities said all security structures were on heightened alert but stressed there was no evidence of a specific or imminent threat.

In a statement on April 1, the office of President Bajram Begaj said the head of state was in constant contact with the National Security Council and receiving continuous briefings, reported Euronews.

“The president is informed about every situation and scenario, as well as all measures taken under security protocols,” the presidency said, adding that coordination with international partners remained at “extremely high levels”.

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari told parliament there was “no concrete information, even intelligence, about a real dangerous situation”, a statement from the ministry said.

“I asked the Police structures, specifically the Anti-Terror structures, the Department of Public Safety and the Criminal Police, to be in communication with the Security Office of the American Embassy, from which I confirm with full responsibility that it has been communicated, and there is no concrete information, even intelligence, about a real dangerous situation,” Lamallari said.

He added that heightened security measures had been in place for some time and were not triggered solely by the embassy’s latest alert.

“This is in the wake of all the posts, statements that are becoming standard in all countries of the world where there are various concerns. Albania and the State Police have been taking increased security measures for some time, not related to yesterday's post, but for some time, and this is based on the international developments that are taking place,” he said.

“Specifically with the armed conflict and the war in the Middle East, where of course the State Police, the Anti-Terror structures, the Criminal Police, the FNSH and public security are maximally engaged.”

Lamallari said police were in “constant communication with at least two embassies in the country” and operating under a detailed action plan based on ongoing risk assessments.

“There is also an action plan, which together with specific tasks, makes each responsible structure in the State Police,” he said.

“The fact is that Albania remains a safe country for Albanian citizens and for all those who visit Albania.”

Regional tensions

The alert comes amid heightened tensions linked to the Middle East, with Albania emerging as one of the most outspoken European supporters of US and Israeli actions against Iran.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has publicly backed strikes against Iranian targets and called for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to be designated a terrorist organisation.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organisation and it must be treated as such,” Rama wrote on February 28. “Not only through sanctions against the Khomeinist Republic, but by officially calling it by its true name and listing it among terrorist organisations, as the United States and Canada have already done.”

Albania’s position reflects its close alliance with Washington as well as longstanding tensions with Tehran, particularly over its hosting of members of the exiled Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK).

Around 3,000 MEK members have relocated to Albania since 2014, a move that has drawn repeated criticism from Iran. Albanian authorities have previously accused Iranian agents of plotting attacks against the group, and several Iranian diplomats have been expelled in recent years over alleged security threats.

Separately, Bulgaria said it had received a warning from Iran regarding the use of its airports by the US military, but stressed that it did not anticipate any immediate threat and maintains diplomatic relations with Iran.