US-Israel-Iran War Escalates After British Military Base in Cyprus Targeted: What We Know So Far

The US-Israel-Iran war is far from over, and what started as a conflict involving three countries has now drawn in several others. The United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Cyprus, Bahrain, Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Yemen and Iraq are all now part of what some have described as a widening global conflict.

The conflict began after the US and Israel launched several strikes this past weekend targeting Iran's military sites, missile infrastructure and other areas. The attacks resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Other Iranian leaders were also killed, and a new military commander has been named.

How the EU Was Drawn Into the Conflict

Following the death of its leader, Iran retaliated against the US and Israel by attacking the UAE, Saudi Arabia and others. 'The war escalated further after an Iranian-made drone struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri — the UK's Royal Air Force base on the island — shortly after midnight on 1 March, causing minor damage and no casualties. Two further drones heading for the base were intercepted the following day. The UK maintains two sovereign base areas on the island, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which serve as key staging posts for British and allied military operations across the Middle East.'

Following the attack, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a statement indicating that the UK would allow the US to use its bases to conduct strikes on Iranian missile sites. A member of the European Parliament for Cyprus, Fidias Panayiotou, has called for a collective response, arguing that an attack on one EU member constitutes an attack on all.

'We want, and we expect a united response from the entire European Union,' he said.

Other Countries Now Involved in the War

Lebanon has also been drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel, reportedly killing 31 people. Qatar and Saudi Arabia were pulled in further after several of their energy facilities were struck. Qatar, which reportedly supplies 20 per cent of the world's liquefied natural gas, was forced to suspend operations, while Saudi Arabia's largest oil refinery was forced to halt production.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has since entered the discussions, releasing a statement that Europe would respond should any threats emerge against the European Union, Israel or the wider region. He made clear, however, that there are no plans for Nato to take direct military action, given that the conflict remains principally between the US, Israel and Iran.

When Will the War Be Over?

The next few weeks are regarded as critical, with some reports suggesting the conflict could persist for another four to five weeks. In an interview, Harlan Ullman, a senior adviser and chairman of Killowen Group who has long advised Nato and US military leadership, said that President Donald Trump's strategy remains unclear. That lack of a clear-cut plan, he suggested, could be what prolongs the conflict.

'The original message of 'regime change' seems to be going into the distance because how you effectuate a regime change from the air is uncertain and really never has happened before,' he said.