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Starmer: Iran's Attack on Cyprus Base Not Retaliation

Published March 2, 2026, 17:07
Starmer: Iran's Attack on Cyprus Base Not Retaliation

British Prime Minister Rishi Starmer stated that the recent drone attack on the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus is not retaliation for British actions, emphasizing that the base is not used by US bombers. He highlighted the UK's preference for a negotiated solution with Iran, aiming for the abandonment of its nuclear ambitions and the cessation of its destabilizing activities. Starmer acknowledged Donald Trump's disagreement with the initial British stance but defended his decisions as being in the national interest of Britain. Furthermore, he emphasized that Iran has launched attacks on numerous countries, endangering approximately 300,000 British citizens in the region. Finally, he explained the government's change of position regarding the use of British bases by the US, allowing defensive actions to destroy Iranian weapons "at the source," considering it lawful under the framework of collective self-defense.