Iran Strikes NATO
RAF Akrotiri hit — the war reaches Europe
At midnight local time on March 2, an Iranian drone struck RAF Akrotiri — a UK sovereign base in Cyprus. No casualties, but the MoD evacuated military families. Cypriot President Christodoulides confirmed it was Iranian. The strike came hours after PM Starmer authorized US use of UK bases. In the same period: Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura refinery (550K bbl/day) shut after a drone strike, smoke rose near the US Embassy in Kuwait City, and several US warplanes crashed in Kuwait during intense Iranian fire. The conflict has now touched European territory, Gulf energy infrastructure, and US diplomatic missions.
Key facts
- •RAF Akrotiri struck Mar 2 — first attack on UK sovereign territory (British SBA)
- •Two more Akrotiri drones intercepted Mar 3
- •UK COBR convened — HMS warship + helicopters dispatched to Cyprus
- •UK F-35B makes first-ever combat kill defending Jordan
- •RAF Typhoon + 12 Sqn shoot down Iranian drone over Qatar
- •France deploys Charles de Gaulle to Mediterranean — Macron: strictly defensive
Timeline
Iranian drone strikes RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus (midnight local)
Larijani on X: "We will not negotiate with the United States"
Smoke rising near US Embassy Kuwait City — shelter in place
Several US warplanes crash in Kuwait during intense fire
Saudi Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refinery after drone strike
IAEA Grossi: "Mass evacuations may be necessary"
Iranian drones strike RAF Akrotiri — first attack on European sovereign territory
UK COBR convened. Starmer: attack on UK sovereign territory
Two more drones intercepted heading for Akrotiri — Cyprus government briefed
RAF F-35B makes first-ever combat kill — drones shot down over Jordan
12 Sqn Typhoon shoots down Iranian drone over Qatar
Macron announces Charles de Gaulle deploying to Mediterranean
UK dispatches warship and helicopters to Cyprus