“The US is not using Cyprus”
The US military “is not using Cyprus”, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, amid heightened regional tensions and reports of threats targeting the island due to the British bases.
Responding to a question in the House of Commons from Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton regarding threats by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps general Sardar Jabbari to fire missiles at Cyprus, Starmer sought to firmly dispel claims of an American military presence on the island.
“I will be absolutely clear again, because it really matters, that the US is not using Cyprus. It is our base. I will not go into operational details, but as he would expect, we are taking all necessary measures to ensure that Cyprus and the base are safe,” he told MPs.
Clarification on RAF Akrotiri
Starmer later reiterated in parliament that “it is important for me to say that our bases in Cyprus are not being used by US bombers”.
He also addressed the drone which struck RAF Akrotiri shortly after midnight on Monday, stressing that it had not been fired “in response to any decision that we have taken”.
According to the prime minister, the drone is believed to have been launched before he made his public statements on Sunday, only landing after those remarks concluded.
When pressed on why US forces were not operating from the bases in Cyprus, Starmer said they “are not suitable”.
“It is very important that this is made clear, because President Nikos Christodoulides and I have been discussing that,” he added.
Cyprus government echoes message
Starmer’s comments were echoed by Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, who confirmed that British officials have ruled out American use of the UK sovereign bases in Cyprus.
He said British authorities, both publicly and in direct discussions with Nicosia, have made it clear that any planning involving the United States does not include the bases located in Cyprus.
“This is something which we had said from the very beginning, which we considered would be useful, beneficial and necessary to include with the same clarity in the initial statements made by [Starmer],” Letymbiotis noted, referring to the UK prime minister’s earlier announcement that other British bases could be used by US forces in the conflict.
The clarification comes as tensions remain high in the region, with Cyprus closely monitoring developments due to the presence of British sovereign bases on the island.
Also use: UK may send warship to protect Cyprus military base
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
