After hours of deliberation, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday evening that the UK will deploy a defence destroyer to Cyprus, after a Royal Air Force base on the Akrotiri peninsula was hit by an Iranian-made drone on Monday.

“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there. We’re continuing our defensive operations and I’ve just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region. We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies,” he said on his X (former twitter) account on Tuesday evening.

Earlier, The Times had reported that ministers and senior military officials had reviewed the potential deployment of a warship to the region. Britain confirmed that UK assets were targeted by Iran.

Monday’s overnight strike in Cyprus caused limited damage. Sirens sounded across the country, and residents were asked to evacuate affected areas.

In response, Greece deployed naval vessels and F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus under the Greece-Cyprus Common Defense Doctrine. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia on Tuesday, pledging Greece’s unwavering support.

“These are difficult times for our wider region but Greece wants to declare its intention to provide, as far as possible, within the framework of its forces and capabilities, whatever assistance it can to Cyprus and the Cypriot people,” Dendias said.