Iran Conflict: Strikes, Gas Supply & Regional Risks – Latest Updates
Britain will not employ its military bases in Cyprus for offensive operations against Iran, Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in a phone call Saturday, according to a statement released by the Cypriot government spokesperson.
The assurance comes after a Shahed-type drone caused minor damage to facilities at the Akrotiri airbase in southern Cyprus on March 2, with two subsequent drones intercepted. The Cypriot spokesperson stated that Starmer “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 commitment to limit the base’s role to defensive measures follows international concern after the UK initially hesitated to fully support US-Israeli strikes on Iran. During Prime Minister’s Questions on March 4, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of asking allies to undertake action the UK should have taken itself, following attacks on British bases in Bahrain and Cyprus. Starmer defended his approach, stating he would not commit the UK to war without a “lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan.”
The UK subsequently agreed to allow the US to use British military bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites, a move described by Starmer as “the special relationship in action.” Though, this concession followed criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who labelled Starmer “no Winston Churchill” for his initial reluctance.
The situation in Cyprus is further complicated by a demand from Cypriot leadership for a “frank discussion” regarding the future of British military bases on the island once the conflict in the Middle East subsides, according to reports. Britain retains sovereignty over two bases in Cyprus, a legacy of the island’s independence from British rule in 1960.
Escalating tensions across the region were underscored Saturday by reports of renewed Israeli strikes on Beirut targeting Hezbollah, prompting evacuations and increasing civilian distress. Israel also claimed to have struck a ballistic missile production facility belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Tehran overnight. The US military reported that it believes the threat to the Strait of Hormuz has been “degraded” following strikes on Iranian facilities storing anti-ship cruise missiles and related equipment.
Meanwhile, an Iraqi officer was killed in a drone strike near the Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad and Iranian gas supplies to Iraq resumed after being halted following an Israeli attack on the South Pars gas field on Wednesday. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterating the importance of ensuring the security of shipping lanes and the safety of Indian nationals in Iran.
The UN atomic watchdog is investigating reports of an attack on the Natanz nuclear facility, whereas Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that strikes on Iran would increase “significantly” in the coming week.