Cyprus is on high alert, as it has come under the Iranians’ crosshairs after Britain gave the green light to the United States to use British military bases as a launching pad against Iran.
Shortly after 12:00 noon on Monday (2/3/2026), sirens sounded again at the British military base in Akrotiri, while British fighter aircraft were scrambled. An immediate order was given to evacuate that base, as well as the one in Dhekelia. A few minutes later, an order was also issued to evacuate the airport in Paphos, after a drone was detected in Cyprus’ airspace.
The latest developments have also placed Greece on heightened alert, which, according to a decision of the KYSEA, is sending to Cyprus a pair of F-16s as well as two frigates.
In Cyprus, the Greek frigate “Kimon”
Nikos Dendias announced that Greece is sending two frigates to Cyprus. They are the “Kimon” and another frigate of the Hellenic Navy, which carries the anti-drone system “Kentavros.” A pair of F-16s is also heading to Cyprus.
The Greek F-16s are participating in surveillance and in strengthening the protection of Cypriot airspace. Meanwhile, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias is urgently traveling to Nicosia, accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Dimitris Choupis. The visit is of an urgent nature and includes meetings with the Cypriot political and military leadership, focusing on coordination of actions and management scenarios in the event of further destabilization.
Evacuation of the military base in Akrotiri
Personnel at the British base in Akrotiri in Cyprus were ordered to leave the facilities.
“There is an ongoing security threat. Please return to your homes and remain indoors until further official notice. Move away from windows and take shelter behind or under sturdy, solid furniture. Please await further instructions,” read the message sent to employees.
The Ministry of Interior had warned that, if necessary, sirens would be activated in the affected areas and there would be immediate updates via radio and television, with instructions to the population to head to the nearest shelter.
Information indicates that the base in Akrotiri has received seven attacks since yesterday, Sunday (1/3/2026). According to Kitasweather, cameras from Pissouri recorded four separate incidents from 20:59 in the evening until 05:15 in the early morning hours. As reported, multiple airborne objects, possibly drones or missiles, were recorded above the British base of Akrotiri. Some appear to have been intercepted, while others seem to have hit the ground.
Alert at Paphos airport
Meanwhile, alarm was also raised at Paphos airport after a drone was detected in Cyprus’ airspace. An immediate evacuation order was issued for staff and passengers.
The “green light” from Starmer
Cyprus came under Iranian crosshairs after the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, made known that he would allow the United States to use British bases for operations against Iran, stating that his country “will not participate in offensive actions against Iran.”
However, as he stressed, “the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at their root, either in the depots where they are stored or on the launchers used to fire them.” In this context, the United States requested permission to use British bases for this specific and limited defensive purpose. The Prime Minister announced that the United Kingdom decided to accept the request, “in order to prevent the launch of missiles from Iran across the region, to avoid innocent civilians being killed, to protect British lives and to shield countries that are not involved.”
EU ministers’ summit postponed
Meanwhile, the meeting scheduled for today (2/3/2026) in Nicosia of the EU Ministers for European Affairs was postponed.
In search of a common line
The European Union is trying to find a common line in this complex crisis. The 27 foreign ministers held a videoconference, concluding with a statement calling for full respect for international law, the cessation of the Iranian missile program and the restoration of regional security, while expressing support for the fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people. Despite disagreements, such as Hungary’s initial refusal to approve the statement and the public differentiation between leaders such as Pedro Sánchez and Friedrich Merz, the common line was ultimately adopted.
The leaders of the so-called E3, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Keir Starmer, issued a separate, tougher statement, leaving open the possibility of proportional defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to launch missiles and drones. At the same time, the EU emphasizes as priorities the protection of civilians, de-escalation of tensions, the security of European citizens and the maintenance of support for Ukraine, while continuing pressure on Russia.
Within the framework of emergency measures, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, convened an extraordinary meeting of European commissioners in Brussels, while Cyprus, holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, had scheduled a meeting of foreign ministers in Nicosia. Due to the incident in Akrotiri, the meeting was postponed, and Cyprus scheduled a new session of the Integrated Political Crisis Response Mechanism to examine security, energy supply and trade scenarios. At the same time, a meeting is being organized between the EU’s top diplomats and foreign ministers of the Gulf to address the crisis.
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