UK, France Send Warships, Air Defence Assets to Cyprus After Drone Attack The United Kingdom and France have deployed military assets to Cyprus following an Iranian-made drone attack on a British military base in the region. The UK announced the dispatch of the HMS Dragon, a Type-45 air defence destroyer, along with two Wildcat helicopters, to bolster drone defence capabilities for Cyprus. The move comes amid heightened tensions over recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks by Tehran. The HMS Dragon, equipped with a Sea Viper missile system capable of launching eight missiles in under 10 seconds and guiding up to 16 simultaneously, was sent to the eastern Mediterranean. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the country’s commitment to Cyprus’s security in a social media post, stating, “We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.” France followed suit, ordering its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean. The carrier will be accompanied by its air wing, escorting frigates, and additional air defence systems. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the deployment of Rafale fighter jets and airborne radar systems in the Middle East, citing the recent drone strike on the RAF base in Akrotiri as a key factor. He also mentioned the arrival of the French frigate Languedoc near Cyprus. The drone attack on the RAF base in Akrotiri, southwest of Limassol, caused minor damage when the Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the facility. Cyprus’s president, Nikos Christodoulides, confirmed the incident, while local reports described the evacuation of about 1,000 residents due to emergency procedures.#iran #france #uk #keir_starmer #cyprus
Trump ‘Very Disappointed’ with Starmer for Initially Blocking Use of Air Bases Britain had initially denied the U.S. permission to conduct air strikes from its bases, but on March 1, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was accepting a request for their use in any “defensive strikes” the U.S. wanted to make against Iranian targets. The decision followed weeks of tension between Washington and London over the potential deployment of American military assets from British territory. Donald Trump, speaking to the Daily Telegraph on March 2, expressed “very disappointed” that Starmer had delayed allowing the use of the Diego Garcia air base for strikes on Iran. Trump criticized the British leader for taking “too long” to change his stance, calling the situation “probably never happened between our countries before.” He suggested Starmer’s hesitation stemmed from concerns about the legality of the operation. The U.S. had sought access to British air bases to target Iranian military installations, citing the need for a swift response to escalating tensions in the region. Starmer’s reversal came after initial resistance, with British officials reportedly wary of the legal and diplomatic implications of hosting U.S. military operations. The prime minister’s statement on March 1 marked a shift in policy, allowing the use of bases for “limited defensive” actions against Iranian targets. The move has raised questions about the evolving dynamics between the U.S. and its NATO allies, particularly as the Iran-Israel conflict continues to dominate global headlines. Analysts noted that Starmer’s decision to grant limited access to U.S. forces reflects a balancing act between maintaining sovereignty and supporting allied military efforts. The situation underscores the complexities of international alliances in times of crisis.#iran #donald_trump #keir_starmer #diego_garcia_air_base #britain
UK PM Approves US Use of UK Bases for Defensive Strikes on Iran UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the United States has been granted permission to use British military facilities for operations targeting Iran, specifically to neutralize potential retaliatory missile threats. The decision marks a shift from the UK’s initial stance, which had rejected the request due to concerns over compliance with international law. Starmer’s approval comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where the US and Israel have been intensifying military actions against Iranian targets. The UK’s original refusal was based on fears that allowing US forces to conduct strikes from British soil could violate legal frameworks governing the use of foreign territory for military operations. However, Starmer has stated that the agreement aligns with the UK’s broader strategic interests in deterring Iranian aggression and supporting regional stability. The move is seen as a significant diplomatic compromise, balancing national sovereignty concerns with the need for collective security in a volatile conflict zone. The decision follows a series of recent developments in the region, including a US military plane crash in Iraq that killed four personnel and a missile attack on northern Israel that injured dozens. These incidents have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with Iran’s leadership vowing retaliation for perceived provocations. Starmer’s approval of the US request is expected to bolster coordination between the two allies, though it has drawn criticism from some quarters for potentially escalating hostilities.#iran #united_states #middle_east #uk_prime_minister #keir_starmer
