Military Encirclement of Iran: The Role of Cyprus

The United States and its allies are intensifying their military activity around Iran, as reflected in operational deployment maps up to January 25, 2026.

The encirclement strategy, known as 'Operation Encirclement,' includes naval forces in the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as air bases and missile defense systems in Iraq, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Bases in Europe, such as RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Ramstein, play a pivotal role, while the Eastern Mediterranean forms an intermediate axis. British bases in Akrotiri, Cyprus, Souda in Crete, and Sigonella in Italy serve as support hubs.

Cyprus, through the British Bases in Akrotiri, gains particular importance due to its geographical location, allowing support for operations towards Israel, Jordan, and the Persian Gulf.

Nicosia is monitoring developments, taking into account its membership in the EU and its relations with Israel and the Arab world.