The statement, broadcast on Iranian state television and widely reported on March 2, follows a drone strike on the UK’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. Jabbari declared: “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.”
This full quote, confirmed by multiple media outlets including Sigmalive and Caliber.az, forms the core of Iran’s new strategic warning. Jabbari framed the threat as a defensive and justified response to what he described as the U.S. relocating a significant portion of its regional airpower to Cyprus.
Expanded Justification for Targeting Cyprus
In a more detailed segment of his address, Jabbari provided the rationale for treating Cyprus as a legitimate military target: “In these American bases in the Zionist region, in Qatar, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, they moved a very large number of their aircraft, almost more than 150 percent, toward Cyprus. Then from there, at the three bases they have designed, they organise, prepare, and launch attacks against us. Well, with strong justification and legitimate independence, since Cyprus has given this field to the enemy, to our formidable enemy, we have also struck there and will strike there. Just as in this region, where some had provided bases to them and we struck their bases, they will face consequences there as well, and they will flee to another place.”
This statement, reported by Sigmalive and Protothema, explicitly accuses Cyprus of complicity by allowing its territory to be used for U.S. military operations against Iran.
Jabbari’s threats follow a confirmed drone attack on RAF Akrotiri around midnight on March 1–2, 2026. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the incident involved an Iranian drone, causing minimal material damage but no casualties.
In response, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration initiated the temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel. On the morning of March 2, two additional drones were intercepted en route to the base, according to Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
The crisis has triggered a swift regional military response. Greece announced the deployment of the frigate Kimon, another frigate equipped with the “Centaur” anti-drone system, and a pair of F-16 fighter jets to bolster Cyprus’s defenses. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed the move was a direct result of the Iranian threat.
The European Union has rallied behind Cyprus, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating: “We stand collectively, firmly and unequivocally with our Member States in the face of any threat.”
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that British bases in Cyprus would be used for “defensive” purposes in support of the U.S., while emphasizing the UK is not participating in offensive operations. He stated the drone attack on Akrotiri occurred before the UK’s announcement, indicating Iran had already targeted British interests.
Photo: Mehr