NICOSIA, March 21 — The United Kingdom has promised Cyprus that British military installations on the island nation will not serve as staging areas for offensive strikes during the ongoing Iran crisis, according to a Cypriot government official who spoke Saturday.
The assurance came during a telephone conversation between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, the government spokesperson revealed in a written statement.
“The British Prime Minister reiterated … that the security of the Republic of Cyprus is fundamental to the United Kingdom and, to that end, a decision has been taken to enhance the means contributing to the preventive measures already in place,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
“Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated that the British Bases in Cyprus will not be used for any offensive military operations.”
The conversation follows a March 2 incident where a Shahed-style drone, similar to Iranian models, struck Britain’s Akrotiri airbase in southern Cyprus, causing minor damage. Military forces successfully intercepted two additional drones during the same attack. No additional security breaches have been reported since that incident.
The UK maintained control over two military installations on Cyprus following the island’s transition from British colonial rule to independence in 1960.
