Palmas insists Cyprus in no immediate threat from Iran

Defence minister, Vasilis Palmas, said on Thursday that there is “no immediate threat” to the republic despite heightened tensions across the Middle East, as Greece moved naval and air assets to the island following a drone incident linked to Iran.

Speaking on CyBC’s morning programme, he assured that the national guard remains at a high level of operational readiness and that Cyprus has the capacity to “defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity if necessary”.

Palmas said the security situation is being closely monitored but stressed that any threats recorded so far have been solely directed at the British base areas rather than the Republic itself.

“There is no direct threat against the republic,” Palmas insisted, while also remarking that clarifying that the government’s position is that the bases actually do “belong to the territory of the Republic of Cyprus”.

Palmas also thanked Greece and France for what he described as their immediate response in sending military equipment to the island, calling it “an act of solidarity between friendly and allied countries”.

He added that support from other European states is also under discussion.

The defence minister said work to upgrade the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos and the Evangelos Florakis naval base at Mari is continuing as planned, describing them as important infrastructure for Cyprus’ role in the Levant.

He also urged the public to remain calm and be cautious of misinformation circulating during the regional crisis.

His statements follow President Nikos Christodoulides’ televised address on Wednesday night, saying the government is acting “responsibly and transparently” with the sole aim of safeguarding the public.

“In these critical moments the government has acted responsibly, transparently and with the sole purpose of ensuring the security of the country and its citizens,” he affirmed.

Christodoulides said all government services have been on alert and in full operational readiness since the start of the crisis.

He also announced the trial activation of Cyprus’ emergency paging system, which will allow civil defence authorities to send direct alerts to residents’ mobile phones if required.

The government is also working to repatriate Cypriots stranded abroad, with the president confirming that the first flights carrying returnees have already arrived.

Christodoulides emphasised that Cyprus is not participating in military operations in the region.

“We are not part of a war, and we remain focused on the humanitarian role we have served all this time, always as part of the solution and never as part of the problem.”

He added that Cyprus has remained in constant contact with partners in the European Union and other countries to strengthen its efforts, confirming that assistance from Greece and France had already been secured while consultations with other states were ongoing.

Greek defence minister Nikos Dendias said the deployment of Greek forces was intended to bolster the island’s security, informing Alpha TV on Thursday that Cyprus “can now feel safe from Iranian fire” following the dispatch of two Greek frigates, the Kimon and Psara, as well as four F-16 fighter jets.

Referring to the frigate Kimon, described by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as the “pride of the Greek fleet”, Dendias assured that it is fully equipped for potential crises but has not taken part in any operations.

“The presence of Greek planes and ships is to protect the entire population of Cyprus. We offer a comprehensive service,” Dendias said.