A senior representative of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened on Monday with increased missile attacks on Cyprus. As a reason, he cited what he saw as an expanded military 

presence of the United States on the island.

According to Iranian state media, IRGC commander Sardar Jabbari said the US had transferred a significant number of military aircraft to Cyprus. According to Jabbari, this will result in a decisive reaction from Tehran. Literally, he had announced that Cyprus would be attacked with such intensity that the American forces would be forced to leave the island.

The threats come against the backdrop of recent drone attacks on British military bases in Akrotiri and an overall tense situation in the Middle East following the death of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei.

The Cypriot government rejected the accusations and the threat scenarios. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis stressed that the Republic of Cyprus itself is not a military target and does not participate in hostilities. Any threats, if any, were directed against the British military bases – not against the Cypriot state.

Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas also relativized the statements of the Iranian general. In a background briefing, he said such statements were not surprising given the current geopolitical tensions. The sharp choice of words is more an expression of internal uncertainties and a power vacuum in Iran than a concrete attack scenario. In phases of domestic political turbulence, rhetoric often tends to escalate, which is why it should be classified with caution.

Palmas also assured that the national defense structures are prepared for different scenarios. All developments are continuously monitored in close coordination with international partners.

The Iranian threats followed a day of increased security in Cyprus. Authorities confirmed that two drones approaching British facilities in Akrotiri were intercepted. Previously, a smaller drone had hit the runway of the RAF base Akrotiri and caused minor property damage. There were no injuries.

Government spokesman Letymbiotis again underlined that the stationing of foreign forces on Cypriot soil primarily serves humanitarian missions and not the conduct of offensive military operations.











Author: MF Editorial Team
Source: REUTERS / X / Philenews.cy