Italy summons Iranian ambassador after drone strike on Cyprus

Tuesday 03 March 2026 - 14:30

Italy has summoned the ambassador of Iran following a drone attack targeting a British military base in Cyprus, in a move that underscores mounting diplomatic tensions across the region.

According to Italy’s Foreign Ministry, the decision to call in the Iranian envoy was intended to formally protest the strike, which reportedly involved drones of Iranian origin. The incident targeted a base operated by the Royal Air Force on the island, a European Union member state.

Attack and regional implications

Security sources indicated that at least one drone struck the runway of the British installation. Cypriot officials suggested the unmanned aerial vehicles may have been launched from neighboring Lebanon, with suspicions pointing toward the armed group Hezbollah, which maintains close ties with Tehran.

The episode comes amid a broader escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Recent exchanges of missile and drone attacks have heightened fears of a wider regional confrontation, affecting both military and civilian infrastructure.

Italy, as a member of the European Union, expressed concern over the security implications for European interests and personnel stationed in the region.

Evacuations from Gulf countries

In parallel with its diplomatic response, Rome has intensified evacuation efforts for Italian nationals residing in Gulf states. Authorities confirmed that several hundred citizens are being repatriated on chartered and commercial flights.

Groups are scheduled to depart from Muscat in Oman to Rome, while others are being flown from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to Milan. Additional evacuations are being coordinated by land routes from Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar toward Saudi Arabia, where onward travel arrangements are being made.

Italian officials described the operation as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens amid a volatile security environment. Diplomatic observers note that Rome’s dual approach—formal protest and protective evacuation—reflects the broader European effort to contain risks while urging de-escalation.