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Visit to Athens/ Peleshi, meeting with the Greek counterpart, focusing on relations between the two countries and European integration

Following the parliamentary diplomacy tour and contacts wi...

European countries are strengthening the defense of the Mediterranean / Key developments since the start of the war in Iran

2026-03-10 17:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

European countries are strengthening the defense of the Mediterranean / Key

Since the US and Israel's war with Iran began late last month, European leaders have paid close attention to events in Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea that is a member of the European Union and home to two sovereign British military bases.

In recent days, several countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands, have announced that they will send military protective equipment to the region.

Here's how things have developed regarding Cyprus since the start of the conflict on February 28:

· February 28: Two missiles were “fired towards Cyprus,” British Defense Secretary John Healey said the next day.

· March 2: The UK Ministry of Defence said it was responding to a suspected drone attack on RAF Akrotiri air base - a key hub for British air operations in the Middle East. Two more drones were intercepted as they headed towards the base later in the day, a Cypriot government spokesman said.

· March 3: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his country would send helicopters with anti-drone capabilities and the Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon to the region.

· March 4: The United Kingdom confirmed that the drone that hit its military base was not launched from Iran. Cyprus determined that the drone came from Lebanon, a deputy government spokesman told state media.

· March 5: A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told CNN that the country would coordinate with Italy and Greece to strengthen defenses in Cyprus. Spain also announced it was sending its frigate Cristobal Colon to the area.

· March 9: During a visit to Cyprus, Macron said his country would deploy eight frigates, two amphibious helicopter carriers and an aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea as a defensive measure. The Dutch government also announced it would send a frigate to the Mediterranean. /CNA