US targets critical mineral security amid Iranian threats to European bases

The United States has announced a $3 billion investment initiative focused on critical raw materials, domestic mining, and battery storage to reinforce defense manufacturing and national security. The policy rollout follows a strategic simulation conducted last summer, which revealed substantial vulnerabilities in the American supply chain for high-purity aluminum during major military conflicts.

The industrial push comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe. Reports indicate that Iranian officials have evaluated potential retaliatory strikes against US military facilities located in Southeastern Europe, including installations in Bulgaria that support allied operations. As tensions persist, Washington seeks to reduce reliance on external supply chains while managing security threats facing forward-deployed assets abroad.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV.