Cyprus ‘fired on by Iranian missiles’ with assaults a ‘few hundred yards’ from Brits

On Mar 1, 2026

The retaliation attacks from Iran have seen two missiles sent towards the British holiday hotspot of Cyprus, where the UK also has a military base.

Defence Secretary John Healey warned Iran is now “lashing out in an increasingly indiscriminate and widespread way after attacks to attacks on an airport in Kuwait and hotels in Dubai and Bahrain.

Iran launched attacks in the Middle East yesterday (February 28) following strikes from US and Israeli forces .

Speaking on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Healey added that Iranian missiles and drones had landed within “a few hundred yards” of some 300 British troops at a base in Bahrain.

Two missiles had been fired in the direction of Cyprus, where thousands of UK personnel are based, Healey confirmed. It is believed they were intercepted on route.

MANAMA, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Smoke rises after Iran launched a missile attack targeting the headquarters of the U.S. NavyÃ¢s Fifth Fleet in Manama, following what it described as retaliation against U.S. and Israeli strikes, in Manama, Bahrain on February 28, 2026. According to reports, missiles struck the area of the naval facility, and plumes of smoke were seen rising from the vicinity after the attack. There were no immediate official statements regarding casualties or the extent of the damage. The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions in the region. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images) — Strikes in Bahrain were close to where British troops were based
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

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He said: “We don’t believe they were targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless it’s an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region.”

Iranian state TV confirmed the death of 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early on Sunday (March 1) as Iran continued to retaliate to the attacks by firing missiles at Gulf neighbours and Israel.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been confirmed dead
(Image: KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump had previously claimed Mr Khamenei died in the attacks and urged the Iranian people to seize “the single greatest chance… to take back their country”.

Healey told Sky News: “I think few people will mourn the Ayatollah’s death, not least the family and friends of those thousands of young protesters murdered on the streets of Iranian cities.

“Iran and the regime he’s led for so long, it’s a source of evil, murdering its own citizens and sponsoring and exporting terror, including to countries like Britain.”

On Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer said UK aircraft were in the sky as part of defensive operations, which continued into Sunday.

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