A suspected drone strike hit Britain’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus early Monday, causing minor damage but no casualties, officials said.
Personnel at the base were told a “small drone” had impacted the airfield and that authorities were responding. The U.K. government later said British armed forces were dealing with a “suspected drone strike” at the installation, one of two sovereign British bases on the island.
The incident came a day after Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said he had spoken by phone with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who assured him “clearly and unequivocally” that Cyprus was not a target for Iran. Christodoulides said Nicosia and London remain in direct contact and that Cypriot authorities are closely monitoring developments.
Christodoulides also held calls with the heads of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as the leaders of France, Italy, Lebanon and Qatar. He has convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council for Monday afternoon at the Presidential Palace.
Earlier, British Defense Secretary John Healey said two missiles fired from Iran had traveled in the direction of Cyprus, where the United Kingdom maintains military bases. He later said it was unclear whether the bases had been deliberately targeted.