File photo: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Picture courtesy: AP)
Britain has assured Cyprus that its military bases on the island will not be used for aggressive action in the Iran conflict, even as London strengthened protective measures around the Republic of Cyprus amid regional tensions.The assurance was given during a phone call between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides, according to news agency Reuters, and was revealed by the Cyprus government later on Saturday.
Starmer reassures Cyprus on base use
In a written statement, a Cypriot government spokesman said Starmer underlined Britain’s commitment to the security of Cyprus, while making clear that Britain’s sovereign bases would not be used for offensive military action.According to Reuters, the spokesperson said, “The British Prime Minister reiterated… that the security of the Republic of Cyprus is fundamental to the United Kingdom and to this end, it has been decided to enhance the means that contribute to the deterrent measures already in place.”“Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated that British bases in Cyprus will not be used for any offensive military operations,” the statement said.Britain retained sovereignty over two military bases in Cyprus when the island gained independence in 1960.
Security focus after drone incident in Akrotiri
The assurance comes after the recent security crisis involving one of Britain’s key facilities in Cyprus.An Iranian-type Shaheed drone attacked the UK’s Akrotiri airbase in southern Cyprus on March 2, causing minor damage.Two more drones were later intercepted, and there have been no further known safety incidents since then.The drone incident had raised concerns about whether British assets based in Cyprus could become more deeply entangled in the wider regional conflict, particularly given the island’s strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean.
Britain 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.A UK official source confirmed on Saturday that Iran “failed” to target the joint UK-US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, after the Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at the base, according to news agency AFP.Britain announced on Friday it would allow Washington to use Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in south-west England to attack Iranian “missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz”.“This government has given the US permission to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations,” AFP quoted a UK Defense Ministry spokesman as saying.This gap appears to be at the heart of London’s current situation. The Cyprus bases will not be used for offensive action, while some other UK facilities may be used in narrowly defined operations aimed at maritime security and protecting allied assets.
Iran warns Britain over base access
The issue of British bases has become increasingly sensitive as Tehran has stepped up its warnings to countries that assist 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 considered “participation in aggression”, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.In response, Cooper warned Araghchi “against directly targeting UK bases, territory or interests”, AFP said, citing a statement from the UK Foreign Office.The effort to target Diego Garcia came before the UK announced base access on Friday, suggesting Iran is already signaling that British-linked military infrastructure may be considered fair game if it feels London is supporting Washington.