The United Kingdom has confirmed that its military base in Cyprus will not be part of a new defensive agreement with the United States, as tensions linked to the Iran war continue to rise.
Following a call between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, a British government spokesperson said that RAF Akrotiri would not be used in joint UK-U.S. operations under the current arrangement.
Instead, Britain has authorized the United States to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for defensive strikes targeting Iranian missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials stressed that the UK’s role remains strictly defensive. Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated that London would provide support against what she described as Iranian threats, but would not take part in offensive military action.
“RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UK’s continuation of its agreement with the U.S. to use UK bases in collective self-defense,” the government said in a statement.
The Cypriot government confirmed that the British prime minister had underlined the importance of Cyprus’ security and pledged enhanced preventive measures. It also reiterated that British bases on the island would not be used for offensive operations.
The decision follows a recent incident in which a drone described as Iranian-type struck facilities at RAF Akrotiri on March 2, causing minor damage. Two additional drones were intercepted, and no further incidents have been reported since.
Meanwhile, a source at Britain’s defense ministry said an Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting Diego Garcia occurred before the UK granted the latest authorization for U.S. use of its bases.
