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‘Shahed-type drone’ that hit British air base in Cyprus was not launched from Iran: UK Defence Ministry

The Iranian-made drone had hit a runway of the Royal Air Force of Akrotiri, which is reportedly the first attack on the military facility in Cyprus since 1986.

cypus, uk air baseA Fighter Jet prepares for landing at the U.K.'s RAF Akrotiri air base after it was hit by a drone strike early morning near Limassol, Cyprus, Monday, March, 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

The UK Ministry of Defence has stated that “Shahed-type drone” that targeted British Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in Cyprus was not launched from Iran.

The Iranian-made drone had hit a runway of air base, which is reportedly the first attack on the military facility in Cyprus since 1986.

UK officials said that there were no injuries and “minimal” damage but the Iranian made drone strike has brought the conflict onto European soil.

In a statement on Wednesday, the UK Ministry of Defence said: “The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a Shahed-like drone which targeted RAF Akrotiri at midnight on 2nd March was not launched from Iran. In the last 24 hours, the UK has resupplied air defence systemns to British and allied bases across the reigion– including UK-built air defence missiles.”

It added that “Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters — armed with Martlet missiles capable of taking out areal threats — will arrive in Cyprus in the coming days”.

In an statement earlier, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides had clarified that UK was not at war. “I want to be clear: Our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation,” the Cyprus president said even as Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday signalled that the UK was prepared to support the United States in its war with Iran. In a televised address, Starmer even confirmed that Westminster approved a US request to use British bases for the “defensive purpose” of destroying Iranian missiles “at source.

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