Defence Secretary John Healey has stated that two Iranian missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where the UK maintains military bases. He told Sky News that he does not believe the missiles were targeted at the bases intentionally, but described the action as an example of Iran's 'indiscriminate' retaliatory attacks following US-Israeli strikes on Saturday.
However, both the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and the president of the unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman, have questioned the claim. Christodoulides clarified that there was 'no indication whatsoever that the country was under threat,' while Erhürman said reports of two missiles being launched from Iran towards the island were false, citing information confirmed by military authorities.
Mr Healey also revealed that 300 UK personnel were close to targets hit in Bahrain during the same attacks. He reiterated the Prime Minister's calls for Iran to end its missile strikes and 'step back from its increasing uncontrolled indiscriminate attacks in the region.' He added that few would mourn the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Defence Secretary declined to comment on the legality of the US-Israeli strikes, stating it was for the US to explain. He noted that 'everything the UK does is within international law' but would not say whether the UK might be drawn into direct operations on Iran.
