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  "path": "/news/raf-akrotiri-cyprus-iran-drone-strike-chagos-negotiations",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-03T03:17:52.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "before the strike on RAF Akrotiri",
    "Donald Trump sets date for US to 'crush' Iran as President issues IRGC warning",
    "Petrol and diesel drivers warned of fuel station 'queues' as Iran conflict causes 'oil crisis'",
    "Nigel Farage against British boots 'on the ground' in Iran as he issues warning over 'huge mistake'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nCyprus has blamed Britain's \"poor communication\" for the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri - and has opened the door to Chagos-style negotiations over the use of the sovereign base.\n\nThe island nation said there was a lack of clarity over the use of the airbase - and said the UK had dragged Cyprus into the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Cypriots said the British Government gave assurances RAF Akrotiri would only be used for humanitarian purposes in a press briefing.\n\nHowever, after Sir Keir Starmer said the US would be allowed to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites, a spokesman for Cyprus's Government, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, said: \"This is something we must state we view with concern.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nHe added that the UK had given \"no cl****ear clarification\" that British military bases in Cyprus would continue to only be used for humanitarian needs.\n\nWhen asked whether Cyprus would consider renegotiating the status of the British bases, the spokesman said: \"In this regard, we are not ruling anything out.\"\n\nThe bases, RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia, together form a British Overseas Territory and exclusively fall under British sovereignty.\n\nMr Letymbiotis said Cyprus \"remains strictly committed to its humanitarian role\", adding that the country views itself as a \"hub for humanitarian aid\".\n\nSir Keir's decision to allow the US to deploy from British military bases came just hours before the strike on RAF Akrotiri by an unmanned small drone.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDefence Secreatary John Healey said the damage caused by the strike was \"minimal\" and there were no casualties.\n\nCypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said the drone was Iranian-made.\n\nLocal media has reported that it most likely came from Lebanon, home to terror group Hezbollah.\n\nIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leader Sardar Jabbari has since threatened to strike Cyprus itself.\n\nHe said: \"The Americans have moved most of their aircraft to Cyprus. We will launch missiles at Cyprus with such intensity that the Americans will be forced to leave the island.\"\n\n### LATEST ON IRAN:\n\n\n\n\n  * Donald Trump sets date for US to 'crush' Iran as President issues IRGC warning\n  * Petrol and diesel drivers warned of fuel station 'queues' as Iran conflict causes 'oil crisis'\n  * Nigel Farage against British boots 'on the ground' in Iran as he issues warning over 'huge mistake'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt has been reported the US is likely to deploy bombers to strike Iran from joint US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands and from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.\n\nAnd on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer insisted to MPs: \"It is important for me to say that our bases in Cyprus are not being used by US bombers.\"\n\nMr Letymbiotis said the PM's words reflected a \"common conclusion\" or \"if you like, the joint position\".\n\nRAF Akrotiri is said to be \"preparing for war\" after the unmanned drone struck part of the airbase used by top secret US spy planes.\n\nThe Ministry of Defence closed three schools on the site and military families were told to flee.\n\nSources on the base said: \"It is embarrassing how little warning we had.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt is believed up to four of the Shahed-style drones, which have been commonly used by Russian forces in the Ukraine war, targeted the airbase in Cyprus, with at least two being successfully intercepted.\n\nA source in Cyprus told The Sun: \"It all happened so quickly. Sirens, warnings, the sound of explosions.\n\n\"Everyone’s wondering how they got so close before they triggered an early warning.\"\n\nSir Keir Starmer reassured Parliament the strikes on RAF Akrotiri were not a response by the Government's decision to allow the US to deploy from British bases.\n\nThe Prime Minister said: \"In our assessment, the drone was launched prior to our announcement.\n\n\"Iran’s aggression towards Britain and our interests is long-standing, and that is why we have always ensured that protections for British bases and personnel are at their highest level.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Furious Cyprus opens door to Chagos-style negotiations over RAF Akrotiri after drone strike"
}