Britain has assured Cyprus that its military bases on the island will not be used for offensive operations in the conflict with Iran, even as London steps up protective measures around the republic amid regional tensions.The assurance was conveyed in a phone call between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides and disclosed by the Cypriot government on Saturday, Reuters reported.
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Starmer reassures Cyprus over base use
A Cypriot government spokesman said in a written statement that Starmer emphasized Britain’s commitment to Cyprus security while making clear that Britain’s sovereign bases there would not be used for offensive military operations.“The British Prime Minister reiterated… that the security of the Republic of Cyprus is of vital importance to the United Kingdom and to this end has decided on means to strengthen existing preventive measures,” the spokesman said, according to Reuters.The statement added: “Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated that British bases in Cyprus will not be used for any offensive military operations.”After Cyprus gained independence in 1960, Britain retained sovereignty over two military bases in Cyprus.
Security focus after Akrotiri drone incident
The UK’s assurances come after a recent security scare at a key facility in Cyprus.On March 2, an Iranian-type Shahed drone struck facilities at the British Akrotiri Air Force Base in southern Cyprus, causing minor damage.Two more drones were subsequently intercepted, and there have been no known security incidents since.The drone incident has raised concerns about whether British assets in Cyprus could become more deeply involved in the expanding regional conflict, especially given the island’s strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean.
UK still allows limited ‘defensive’ use of other bases
While London has ruled out using its base in Cyprus for offensive purposes, Britain has separately allowed the United States limited access to other British-controlled facilities for so-called defensive operations.A British official source confirmed on Saturday that Iran had “unsuccessfully” targeted the joint Anglo-American military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean after The Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at the base.Britain announced on Friday it would allow Washington to use the Diego Garcia island and Royal Air Force Fairford base in southwest England to target Iran’s “missile bases and capabilities used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”Agence France-Presse quoted a spokesman for the British Ministry of Defense as saying: “This government has allowed the United States to use British bases for specific and limited defense operations.”This distinction appears to be at the heart of London’s current position. The Cyprus base will not be used for offensive operations, while some of the UK’s other facilities may be used for narrower operations aimed at protecting maritime security and allied assets.
Iran warns UK not to enter base
The issue of British bases has become increasingly sensitive as Tehran expands its warnings against countries aiding the United States.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his British counterpart Yvette Cooper in a phone call on Thursday that any use of British bases by the United States would be considered “participation in aggression,” according to Iran’s foreign ministry.In response, Cooper warned Araghchi “not to directly target British bases, territories or interests,” AFP quoted a statement from the British Foreign Office as saying.The attempt to target Diego Garcia came ahead of Britain’s announcement of the base access on Friday, suggesting Iran may have sent a signal that British-linked military infrastructure might be considered fair game if Iran believes London is aiding Washington.