UK says missiles fired in ‘direction of Cyprus’ during Iran conflict

LONDON: Britain’s defense secretary said Sunday that Iran’s retaliatory attacks after US-Israeli strikes included “two ballistic missiles fired in the direction of Cyprus,” but which were likely not targeting the Mediterranean island.
“We had two ballistic missiles fired in the direction of Cyprus,” John Healey told the BBC, noting UK warplanes were involved in “defensive” actions in the region, operating from the UK’s air base on the island and from a base in Qatar.
“Now we are pretty sure they weren’t targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless it demonstrates how our bases, our personnel, military and civilians at the moment are at risk,” he said, without providing further details about the missiles and any interception of them.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said he had spoken to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and that the UK leader had “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,” Christodoulides added on X.
Healey had revealed the previously undisclosed missile incidents as pointing to “a really serious and deteriorating situation” in the Middle East.
He said the risk was rising of “indiscriminate” retaliatory attacks by Iran.
“It’s an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region, and that... requires us to act defensively,” he told Sky News in a separate interview Sunday.
“Alongside the Americans, we’ve stepped up our defensive forces in the Middle East. We’re flying those sorties. We’re taking down the drones that are menacing either our bases, our people or our allies,” Healey said.
Separately, the UK Foreign Office on Sunday urged British citizens in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to “shelter in place” amid the escalating conflict.
The Foreign Office “now advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE,” it said on X in its latest update.
“If you are a British national in those countries, you should shelter in place and register your presence,” the ministry added.
The UAE, and Dubai in particular, is a popular destination for British tourists and emigrants, with UK television news outlets airing interviews Sunday with numerous Britons in Dubai who had witnessed explosions.