Iran launched two missiles toward the British military base in Cyprus, the UK defence minister said, marking a further escalation in the two-day-old conflict with an attempted strike on European territory.

“Yesterday, we had two missiles fired in the direction of Cyprus,” Defence Secretary John Healey told Sky News, adding that he did not believe they were specifically targeting Cyprus. The missiles were intercepted by Israel as they crossed its airspace, local media reported.

The strike underscores concerns that Iran’s regime may be spiraling out of control, after strikes on neighbouring Arab states not directly involved in the US-Israeli bombing campaign.

Healey warned that UK bases in the Middle East were at risk of “increasingly indiscriminate” attacks by Iran.

“It is an example that there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region – and that requires us to act.” Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on social media said he spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who confirmed “clearly and unequivocally” that Cyprus was not a target.

“There is no indication that there was a threat to the country,” Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.

Cyprus, an EU member, hosts two British military bases – one near Limassol and another near Larnaca, in the southeast of the island. They are considered UK territory, retained by London following Cyprus’ independence in 1960.

(vib, mk)