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The Greek Cypriot administration is seeking guarantees from Britain that a future government led by far-right politician Nigel Farage would not be able to unilaterally use British sovereign bases on Greek Cyprus for attacks against Middle Eastern targets, Politico reported.
Both British and Greek Cypriot officials are concerned that a Reform UK-led government could make different decisions on the use of the island's military installations.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused to allow the United States to use British bases on Greek Cyprus for airstrikes against Iran, before later permitting their use for what he described as "specific and limited defensive purposes" to prevent Iranian attacks. Cypriot officials fear a Farage-led administration would exercise that same discretionary authority differently.
In local elections held across 140 constituencies in England on May 7, covering more than 5,000 council seats and several mayoralties, far-right and populist parties made significant gains.
A drone struck Akrotiri Air Base on March 2, following US-Israeli military operations against Iran. Britain's Ministry of Defence told Politico it has deployed additional capabilities to Greek Cyprus since January, including radar systems, anti-drone systems and fast jets, with further reinforcements added after the Iran confrontation.
Under a 1960 treaty, Britain retained two Sovereign Base Areas at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, treated as British territory, along with a radar station and monitoring sites on the Troodos mountains. Britain also holds rights to around 40 military facilities across the island, of which approximately 15 are currently active.
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