UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed to President Nikos Christodoulides that Cyprus was not a target of Iranian missile strikes, clarifying earlier statements by UK Defence Secretary John Healey.
“Prime Minister Keir Starmer called regarding the ongoing regional developments. He confirmed clearly and unequivocally that Cyprus was not a target,” Christodoulides said on X on Sunday. “We are maintaining direct communication. All relevant authorities are fully engaged and monitoring developments closely.”
Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer called regarding the ongoing regional developments. He confirmed clearly and unequivocally that Cyprus was not a target. We are maintaining direct communication. All relevant authorities are fully engaged and monitoring developments closely.
— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) March 1, 2026
The statement comes after Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas categorically denied reports that missiles were fired towards Cyprus, contradicting claims made by Healey earlier on Sunday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Palmas denied reports that circulated on Sunday about the interception of missiles heading towards Cyprus.
Healey had told Sky News on Sunday that Iran fired two missiles in the direction of British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus during Saturday’s retaliatory strikes, though he said: “We are pretty sure they weren’t targeted at our bases.”
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis had also said on Sunday: “Regarding statements and reports referring to the launching of missiles towards Cyprus, it is clarified that this is not true and there is no indication whatsoever that there was a threat to the country.”
Healey revealed on Sunday that UK military planes are defending Cyprus and Qatar from Iranian missiles and drones. “When our UK planes fly from Qatar, they are protecting against any missiles or drones directed towards Qatar. When they fly from Cyprus, they’re doing the same for Cyprus,” he told Sky News.
The clarifications come as Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes on US bases across the Gulf following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday.
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