Cyprus was the likely launchpad for the military support offered by the United Kingdom to defend Israel from a volley of Iranian missiles launched on Tuesday evening.
The UK’s Defence Secretary John Healey, who is currently in Cyprus, said on Wednesday that British forces had “played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation”.
He had added his thanks to “all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism”, and said the UK “fully stands behind Israel’s right to defend its country and its people against threats”.
Reports across British media suggest that UK fighter jets were deployed to help Israel’s air defences in a similar fashion to what had happened when Iran launched another round of missiles at Israel in April.
In this regard, British newspaper the London Evening Standard had reported that Typhoon fighter jets from Akrotiri had “helped intercept Iranian missiles targeted at Israel”.
The Cyprus Mail contacted the British defence ministry and were told they were willing to make “no further comment” on the matter.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had said late on Tuesday that he “supports Israel’s reasonable demand for security of its people”.
In April, the UK’s defence ministry had said British Royal Air Force jets in the Middle East “will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required”.
“In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks,” the ministry had added at the time.
Last week, the UK had sent 700 troops, border force agents, and other officials to Cyprus with the ostensible aim of helping with contingency planning for a range of scenarios in Lebanon.
The country’s foreign office had said the teams “joined the already significant UK diplomatic and military footprint in the region”, with the country also reopening a scheme for its citizens called “Register Your Presence”, which it says will support its citizens in Lebanon and “provide vital updates”.
The RAF has transport helicopters and aircraft on standby, while bay-class landing ship the RFA Mounts Bay and Royal Navy destroyer the HMS Duncan have both been positioned in the region.
The HMS Duncan is currently docked in the Limassol port and was visited by Healey as part of his contacts in Cyprus on Wednesday.
Additionally, Healey met with other British troops based on Cyprus as the UK ramps up its preparations for a potential evacuation of Lebanon should the situation in the region continue to deteriorate.
Flights were diverted to Cyprus and missiles were visible from the island’s coastal towns and cities when Iran launched its latest round of missiles at Israel on Tuesday night.
The strikes come as a retaliation for Israel’s killing of militant group Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, after the country had already wiped out most of its leadership structure.
Israel had invaded southern Lebanon on Tuesday morning, having struck central Beirut with a missile for the first time since 2006 a day earlier.
