"Locals on the Greek island of Crete voiced concerns on Thursday over a possible retaliatory attack by Iran in the event of a war with the US, given the US and NATO presence on the island. This comes after the US aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford, made an interim stop in Souda port, en route to the Middle East. Footage shows the world’s largest aircraft carrier leaving the port in Crete. "We are not for sale for such a small amount of money. [...] They need to get the hell out of here," said Nikos, a merchant. He criticised the local administration for not taking into account the opinions of locals, ignoring the ‘danger' the US presence brings "to our region and our country." "We don’t want to host murderers, nor be responsible for blood being spilled," he said. "We are dealing with cowboys." Other locals shared fears that alignment with the US poses an existential threat to the island, favouring peaceful visitors to the island's stunning waterfront. "I would prefer that one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean be demilitarised. I understand many locals see it as something that brings profit, but I believe that is short-sighted," said Antonis, a business owner affiliated with the tourism sector. "We are becoming targets for Iran according to their capabilities," he said. "Greece shouldn’t agree to the use of the bases, and we shouldn’t be so quick to participate in the plans of the US and Israel.” “This has negatively impacted our society, the social fabric, creating hostility," noted Chania local Odysseus. "Americans who respect civilisation and culture are welcome,” he added. This comes as the third round of indirect, high-stakes talks between the US and Iran concluded in Geneva, with Washington demanding that Tehran halt its uranium enrichment activities. Meanwhile, Washington is scaling up its military presence in the Middle East in an attempt to add pressure."