Maroevic: Mujahedin-e Khalq the only cause for concern in Albania; Iranian attack unlikely

The only cause for concern in Albania is the presence of the dissident group Mujahedin-e Khalq, which first fled Iran to Iraq and was later relocated to Albania, says Rade Maroevic, editor of the RTS web portal, in a statement to Kosovo Online. He adds that Albania’s concern is understandable, but that an Iranian attack is highly unlikely at this time.

“The only reason for concern in Albania is that dissident group, Mujahedin-e Khalq, which fled from Iran to Iraq and then from Iraq to Albania. This happened about 15 years ago, and since then relations between Tehran and Tirana have essentially begun to deteriorate. They were never particularly strong, except for a brief period when Enver Hoxha was in power,” Maroevic said.

He explains that Iran once viewed Albania, given its isolation at the time, as a potential bridge to Europe.

“Since all of that failed, relations gradually declined and were ultimately completely severed. About four years ago, if I am not mistaken, diplomatic relations were entirely cut off. Iranian diplomats were expelled from Albania, and on several occasions during those years there were reports of intelligence agents—either Iranian or from the Revolutionary Guard—monitoring the camp where these dissidents are located,” he noted.

Speaking about potential security scenarios, Maroevic emphasized that extreme options are unlikely.

“In a somewhat, let us say, science-fiction scenario, an attack could occur—but that is where it more or less ends. What would be the method? What would such an attack look like? Iran simply does not have the capability to reach Albania. There is no missile in Iran that can reach Albania. Its missiles can reach far, but not that far, nor with such precision as to strike Durrës from Tehran—that is still in the realm of science fiction,” he stated.

He mentioned indirect actions as a theoretical possibility.

“What could potentially happen is a proxy attack—sending operatives to carry out sabotage—but that is highly unlikely, as Iran’s tactics in this conflict are quite clear and they do not typically engage in such actions. Albania’s concern is understandable, which is why security measures around that camp have been increased, and Iran’s anger over its very existence is also clear. However, whether any direct confrontation will occur remains highly unlikely at this moment,” Maroevic stressed.

When asked about the role of the camp near Durrës, Maroevic explained that its purpose was to provide refuge for people fleeing Iran.

“The Albanian government at the time, led by Sali Berisha, reached an agreement with the U.S. administration of Barack Obama to relocate these individuals, as they were facing serious threats to their lives. The original Ashraf camp in northern Iraq was constantly targeted by Shiite militias aligned with Iran. Eventually, around 140 members of Mujahedin-e Khalq were killed, prompting the Americans to conclude that they could no longer remain there and that an alternative location had to be found,” he said.

He added that several locations were considered, and Albania, seeking to improve relations with the United States, offered Durrës.

“It has no special role. It is the headquarters of an organization that, in essence, has limited influence in Iran. In the current turmoil surrounding the conflict, two individuals have been executed in Tehran. Whether they were truly members of Mujahedin-e Khalq is something we cannot know for certain, but they are occasionally mentioned as one of the possible alternatives to the current authorities in Iran, should they fall. That could be Reza Pahlavi, or them, or someone else entirely—we simply do not know at this point,” he explained.

He notes that the group has allegedly carried out cyberattacks against Iran, but that its actual influence remains unclear.

“Those attacks sometimes appeared more credible, sometimes less so. At one point they managed to breach the signal and broadcast on state television, but it lasted only about thirty seconds before being cut off. Overall, the organization’s influence at this moment remains quite unclear,” Maroevic concluded.