Cyprus is planning to seek guarantees that a future British government could not unilaterally use the island’s military bases for offensive strikes, Politico reported on Sunday, citing senior Cypriot and British officials.
According to the report, Nicosia’s concerns centre on the possibility that a government led by Nigel Farage — whose Reform UK party is currently leading in opinion polls — might take a different approach to the bases than the current Labour administration.
Politico said a senior Cypriot diplomatic official confirmed the issue will be raised with London once the war in Iran is over.
The report recalled that in March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to allow the United States to use the bases for offensive airstrikes on Iran, but later permitted their use for what he described as the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of preventing Iranian attacks. Cypriot concerns deepened after Farage initially backed the use of the bases for offensive strikes before appearing to reverse course days later.
Politico reported that both British and Cypriot officials acknowledged concern that a future UK government might decide differently on the matter.
According to the report, Cyprus has been critical of what it saw as poor communication from London following the Iranian drone strike on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March, including a lack of advance warning for local residents.
President Nikos Christodoulides subsequently called for talks on the future of the bases, with Cypriot diplomats expressing disappointment at the lack of information-sharing.
Politico said the European Council has acknowledged Cyprus’s intention to open discussions with the UK and stood ready to provide assistance.
On the UK side, the report said London is willing to discuss security cooperation but insists the legal status of the bases is not open to negotiation. A UK government figure told Politico the bases must remain available without restriction, whilst Reform UK told the outlet it supports Britain’s sovereign right to decide how the bases are used.
The UK Ministry of Defence told Politico it has deployed additional defensive capabilities to Cyprus since January, including radar systems, counter-drone systems and fast jets, bolstered further following the outbreak of conflict with Iran.