Unklejaymo (@unklejaymo.bsky.social)

UK says drone attack on Cyprus base was not launched from Iran <article data-history-node-id="434838" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uk-says-drone-attack-cyprus-base-was-not-launched-iran" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uk-says-drone-attack-cyprus-base-was-not-launched-iran" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">UK says drone attack on Cyprus base was not launched from Iran</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>A drone which hit <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/uk" target="_blank">Britain</a>'s Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus was not launched from <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/iran" target="_blank">Iran</a> as many had initially assumed, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed.</p> <p>Officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/05/uk-defence-minister-flies-to-cyprus-drone-strike-raf-base-iran-war-middle-east-crisis" target="_blank">reportedly</a> believe the "Shahed-type drone" evaded detection by flying low and slow on Sunday. It <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38414897/iran-drone-strike-uk-cyprus-base-us-spy-planes/" target="_blank">hit a hangar</a> used by American U-2 spy planes and burst into flames.</p> <p>There were no casualties and the MoD said there was "no damage to equipment inside the hangar".</p> <p>But the UK has still not confirmed where exactly the drone was launched from – and who was responsible.</p> <p>The MoD said it believes the drone was launched by a pro-Iran militia in <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/lebanon" target="_blank">Lebanon</a> or in western <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/iraq" target="_blank">Iraq</a>, but an investigation has proved unable to conclusively establish where.</p> <h3>Read more: <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-says-drone-attack-cyprus-base-was-not-launched-iran">UK says drone attack on Cyprus base was not launched from Iran</a></h3> <p><img alt="Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, during a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London on February 24, 2026." src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/images-story/000_98QH89W%20%281%29.jpg.jpg?itok=C8yrdWF1"></p> <section> </section> </div> </div> </article> https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uk-says-drone-attack-cyprus-base-was-not-launched-iran