A suspected Iranian drone struck the British Royal Air Force base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus shortly after midnight on Sunday, causing minor damage to a runway but no reported injuries, according to statements from British and Cypriot officials.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that its forces were responding to a suspected drone strike, adding that protective measures in the region remain at the highest level and that the situation is ongoing. Personnel and residents near the base were advised to shelter in place as a precautionary measure.
The base, located near Limassol, is a key strategic hub for British military operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Authorities reported that sirens sounded and aircraft were scrambled following reports of an explosion, but there were no casualties.
The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes and Iran’s ongoing military responses. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had recently agreed to allow the United States to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile launchers and storage sites, a decision made in the context of escalating hostilities in the Middle East.
Cypriot authorities, while confirming the strike, maintained that Cyprus itself is not participating in the conflict and emphasized that there was no indication the island was deliberately targeted.
At this stage, details about the drone’s origin and precise circumstances remain under investigation, and further official updates are expected.