French President Macron Visits Cyprus After Drone Strike Amid Iran Tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Cyprus following a drone attack on a British air base there last week. European nations are sending warships and defense systems to support the island nation after what officials believe was a Hezbollah-launched strike.

French President Emmanuel Macron is heading to Cyprus on Monday following last week’s drone attack on a British military installation, as European allies rally to support the Mediterranean island nation amid escalating Middle East tensions.

The French leader has deployed the frigate Languedoc to Cyprus waters and ordered ground-based defense systems to the island after a Shahed drone struck RAF Akrotiri air base on the southern coast. This marked the first such attack on European soil during the current Iran conflict.

France’s flagship aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is also en route to the Eastern Mediterranean region.

During his visit, Macron will join Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Cyprus’ primary air facility on the southwest coast, where Greece has stationed four F-16 fighter jets.

“Together with our European partners, the aim will be to strengthen security around Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Macron’s office announced.

The French president has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to prevent further regional escalation, including Sunday discussions with Iranian President Massoud Pezechkian, whom he pressed to halt attacks.

Cyprus government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis stated Sunday that the three leaders would evaluate regional developments and coordinate preventive measures. Letymbiotis expressed the island’s appreciation for the swift response to its request for help.

Macron previously ordered France’s nuclear-powered carrier to relocate from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean following the Cyprus incident, emphasizing the island’s EU membership and recent strategic partnership with France.

Greece’s advanced Kimon and Psara frigates are already conducting patrols off Cyprus’ southern waters. Additional naval vessels from Italy, the Netherlands and Spain are expected shortly, with Britain’s destroyer Dragon scheduled to arrive next week.

Despite the military presence, all three leaders have called for preventing conflict expansion. Christodoulides has consistently emphasized that Cyprus will not participate in any military operations.

The Shahed drone inflicted minimal damage to a hangar at RAF Akrotiri just after midnight on March 2, with no casualties reported. British Typhoon and F-35 aircraft launched from the base later intercepted two additional drones that afternoon.

Cypriot authorities confirmed the attacking drone originated from Lebanon, with speculation pointing to Iran’s proxy Hezbollah, known for its explosive drone capabilities similar to Iranian models.

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji condemned the attack on Sunday, stating: “I called on our Cypriot friends not to confuse the Lebanese state with those acting outside its authority and legal framework.” Rajji, a vocal Hezbollah critic, represents the Lebanese government’s position.

Lebanese officials have directed security forces to take action against non-governmental groups conducting such operations.