Iran targeted the British base of Akrotiri in Cyprus when the US and Israel started their bombing campaign against the Islamic Regime. US bases across the Gulf were also targeted.
Cyprus was targeted at least once with a drone on March 2nd. Another incident with a missile that landed nearby the base was previously downplayed as an accident by the British Defence Secretary and Ministry of Defence.
In January 2024, British fighter jets flew from Akrotiri to bomb Houthi positions in Yemen, in the Red Sea which were targeting Western vessels. British fighter jets also used the Akrotiri base to fly to Israel’s aid during the twelve-day war to down Iranian ballistic missiles.
However, the UK did not strike live Iranian targets nor did they strike targets in Iran. Prior to Iran’s targeting of the British base, the US did not use the Akrotiri base to launch attacks on Iran. The US used the base in Catania in the initial phases of the war.
The Conservative Opposition in the UK is demanding to join the war in Iran and strike targets in Iran as a response to Iran’s targeting of the British base in Cyprus. The Conservatives are arguing that such an attack deserves a very strong response by the British state and that Iranian missiles targeting Cyprus should be pre-emptively targeted. The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not confirmed so far that Britain will join the war on Iran but has since then allowed the US to use its bases.
Defences in Cyprus have been augmented by the Royal Air Force and Greece while Spain and France deployed their naval vessels. Controversy is ongoing due to HMS Dragon delaying its deployment due to repairs in Portsmouth.
French and Spanish naval frigates are also currently in Malta.
Video below of Conservative and Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch.
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