File photo: UK PM Keir Starmer (Picture credit: AP)
Britain has assured Cyprus that its military bases on the island will not be used for offensive action in the Iran conflict, even as London strengthens protective measures around the Republic of Cyprus amid regional tensions.As per news agency Reuters, the assurance was conveyed during a phone call between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, and was later disclosed by the Cypriot government on Saturday.
Starmer reassures Cyprus on base use
In a written statement, the Cypriot government spokesperson said Starmer underlined Britain’s commitment to Cyprus’s security while making clear that the UK’s sovereign bases there would not be used for offensive military action.“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, according to Reuters.“Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated that the British Bases in Cyprus will not be used for any offensive military operations,” the statement added.Britain retained sovereignty over two military bases in Cyprus when the island gained independence in 1960.
Security focus after drone incident at Akrotiri
The reassurance comes after a recent security scare involving one of Britain’s key facilities in Cyprus.An Iranian-type Shahed drone caused slight damage when it struck facilities at the UK’s Akrotiri airbase in southern Cyprus on March 2.Two more drones were later intercepted, and there have been no further known security incidents since then.The drone incident had raised concerns about whether Cyprus-based British assets could become more deeply entangled in the widening regional conflict, especially given the island’s strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean.
UK still allowing limited ‘defensive’ use of other bases
While London has ruled out offensive use of its Cyprus bases, Britain has separately allowed the United States limited access to other UK-controlled facilities for what it describes as defensive operations.As per news agency AFP, a UK official source confirmed on Saturday that Iran had been “unsuccessful” in targeting the joint UK-US military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, after the Wall Street Journal reported Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at the base.The UK had announced on Friday that it would allow Washington to use Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in southwest England to strike Iranian “missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”A UK ministry of defence spokesperson was quoted by AFP as saying, “This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.”That distinction appears central to London’s current position. Cyprus bases will not be used for offensive action, while some other UK facilities may be used in narrowly defined operations aimed at protecting maritime security and allied assets.
Iran warned UK over base access
The issue of British bases has become increasingly sensitive as Tehran broadens its warnings to countries assisting the US.Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told his British counterpart Yvette Cooper in a phone call on Thursday that any US use of British bases would be treated as “participation in aggression,” according to Iran’s foreign ministry.In response, Cooper warned Araghchi “against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly,” AFP said, citing a UK foreign office statement.Attempted targeting of Diego Garcia occurred before Friday’s UK announcement on base access, suggesting Iran may already have been signalling that British-linked military infrastructure could be considered fair game if it believes London is aiding Washington.
