After the attack on a military base in Cyprus, the war comes dangerously close to Europe. European states are sending ships and fighter jets to the region – Tehran is already talking about “acts of war”. Is there a risk of a direct collision?
March 3, 2026, 7:35 p.mMarch 3, 2026, 7:35 p.m
Remo Hess, Brussels / ch media
Reinforcements for Cyprus: Frigate “Kimon” of the Greek Navy. (Image: January 15, 2026 near Athens).Image: keystone
Europe is in danger of being drawn into the war against Iran: On Monday night, the British military base at Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone. Two more kamikaze drones were intercepted. Greece came to the aid of its EU neighbor on the same day and sent two warships, including the brand new frigate “Kimon”.
The warship was built in France and only entered service last year. In addition to the sea reinforcements, Athens also relocated four F-16 fighter jets and an air defense battery to the Mediterranean island, less than 400 kilometers from Israel. On Tuesday afternoon, the British Prime Minister announced the deployment of the destroyer HMS Dragon and helicopters with anti-drone capabilities to Cyprus.
France and Great Britain ready for “defensive measures”
At the same time, other European countries are increasing their presence in the conflict region. French Rafale jets are patrolling the United Arab Emirates to protect French military bases and personnel stationed there. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, France also announced that it would strengthen the EU operation “Aspides” with two additional warships.
Aspides was launched around two years ago to fend off attacks by Houthi militias on merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden. Most recently, an Italian, a Greek and a French warship each were in action.
Together with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the countries have declared that they are ready for “military defensive measures”. This is to help friendly states in the region and eliminate the Iranian threat “at the source”. Translated, this means: attacks on Iranian missile sites, ammunition depots or drone launch pads.
Air defense core capability: The British destroyer HMS Dragon is sent to Cyprus. (Archive image, April 23, 2014)Image: EPA
Iran warns against “complicity with the aggressor”
In Tehran, the mullahs used the announcement as an opportunity to urgently warn the Europeans against entering the war. “Defensive is the same as offensive,” said a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. And further: “Any action against Iran is viewed as complicity with the aggressors” and as an “act of war.”
The situation is not only delicate for the European countries because, like the Americans, they maintain various bases in the Gulf states, which in the case of France in Abu Dhabi have already been the target of attacks. In addition, hundreds of thousands of Europeans live in the region. According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, almost 400,000 French people are permanently or temporarily in the twelve Gulf states affected by the conflict. According to information from London, at least 200,000 Britons are registered in the Middle East. Evacuating such a number of people at short notice is practically impossible.
Gas prices are skyrocketing
Meanwhile, the escalation in the Middle East also has a direct impact on the war in Ukraine. After Qatar temporarily stopped its production of liquid gas following Iranian missile fire, the price of gas on the wholesale markets skyrocketed. This in turn brings large additional revenues for Russia’s war chest.
In Europe, governments also fear a repeat of the energy crisis that occurred at the start of the war in Ukraine. That means: sharply increased prices for gas and oil and thus a sharp increase in inflation. (aargauerzeitung.ch)