The United States Embassy in Tirana warned on Wednesday that groups linked to Iran could target entities connected to the United States or members of the Iranian opposition in Albania, urging American citizens to exercise increased caution.
In a security notice, the embassy said Iran-linked groups “may also target common locations such as tourist sites, shopping malls, hotels, clubs and restaurants.”
Albanian authorities rejected the warning, describing it as speculation. The government’s Agency for Media and Information said law enforcement bodies “have no concerning information related to this assumption by the U.S. embassy.”
The agency added that such alerts are issued regularly, including during protests, and invited American citizens “not to miss the many opportunities Albania offers,” highlighting the country’s tourism, hospitality and cuisine.
The warning comes weeks after cyberattacks attributed to Iran-linked hackers targeted Albanian state institutions, and after Albania’s parliament designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism.
Relations between Tirana and Tehran have been strained for years, effectively frozen since Albania granted refuge more than a decade ago to members of the Iranian opposition group MEK (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran).
Albania has also backed U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran following the outbreak of conflict on Feb. 28, during which Tehran has launched attacks against Israeli targets and U.S. bases in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has said Albania supports U.S.-Israeli strikes, citing what he described as the country’s direct experience with “the barbaric face of the Tehran regime” through cyber aggression.
Last month, Albania’s parliament and national postal service were hit by cyberattacks claimed by the group Homeland Justice, which, according to an analysis by Microsoft, is linked to the Iranian government.
In messages posted on Telegram, the group said the attacks were retaliation for Albania’s hosting of MEK members, warning that the actions were “only the tip of the iceberg.”
Security experts remain divided on whether the presence of the MEK in Albania increases the risk of attacks, particularly following the escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran.
International analysts have warned that rising tensions between the United States and Iran could increase the likelihood of covert operations or attacks beyond traditional conflict zones, with Tehran historically using proxy networks and asymmetric methods in response to political or military pressure.