UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that British military bases in Cyprus will not be used by the United States in its war with Iran, despite criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Starmer’s comments came as Britain was drawn deeper into the fallout from the rapidly expanding Middle East conflict, following a drone attack on a UK military installation in Cyprus.
‘Bases in Cyprus Not Suitable’
Speaking to parliament, Starmer said the US would not be permitted to use British bases on the Mediterranean island.
“The bases in Cyprus are not being used and are not going to be used by the United States because they are not suitable,” he said.
The remarks followed an earlier statement on Sunday in which Starmer confirmed he had agreed to a US request to use British bases for a “specific and limited defensive purpose.” He later clarified that this approval did not extend to Cyprus.
Drone Attack Hits RAF Akrotiri
On Sunday, Iranian-made drones struck RAF Akrotiri, located on Cyprus’s southern coast. A Cypriot government source told AFP the drones were launched from Lebanon, most likely by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
One drone reportedly hit a runway at the base, while two others were intercepted before reaching their targets. Cypriot authorities temporarily evacuated areas around the base as a precaution.
Starmer told lawmakers the attack was not linked to any UK decision regarding US base access and occurred before Britain announced it would support limited US defensive actions.
Evacuations and Flight Disruptions
Cyprus’s interior ministry said the area around RAF Akrotiri was evacuated, while Paphos Airport was briefly cleared before resuming normal operations. More than 60 flights were cancelled at Paphos and Larnaca airports, according to airport officials.
The UK defence ministry said it had relocated family members living at RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation elsewhere on the island. Officials confirmed the base remains operational, with minimal damage and no casualties.
Regional Tensions Rise
Greece announced it would deploy two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said he would visit the island on Tuesday.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said the incident involved a Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle, a model commonly used by Iranian forces and their allies.
UK Stresses It Is ‘Not at War’
UK officials repeatedly emphasised that Britain is not directly involved in the conflict. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said the UK deliberately chose not to participate in the initial US-Israeli strikes.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government is preparing contingency plans to help an estimated 300,000 British nationals in the Gulf region return home if the situation deteriorates.
Trump criticised Starmer’s initial reluctance to approve base access, telling The Daily Telegraph he was “very disappointed,” though he later described the UK’s limited approval as “useful,” saying it “took far too much time.”
Analysts say London is seeking to balance alliance commitments with caution.
Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group, said the UK does not want to be seen as a central party to the conflict.
“Allowing defensive but not offensive operations helps limit that perception,” she said, “even though the distinction can be very narrow in practice.”
