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Cyprus is stepping up emergency measures following Israel’s military strike on Iran, with President Nikos Christodoulides convening an urgent meeting of the National Security Council on Friday afternoon, officials confirmed.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis announced the decision on social media, stating that the meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in response to “the latest developments in the wider region.”
“In the context of constant operational readiness, the President of the Republic has convened an emergency National Security Council,” Letymbiotis posted on X.
The move comes hours after Israel launched what it described as a “last-resort” preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Israeli officials, including the deputy ambassador to Cyprus, say the operation aimed to stop Iran from reaching what they claim was an imminent nuclear weapons capability.
The attack has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East, with Iran vowing retaliation and drone attacks already underway. Airspace across much of the region has been shut down, oil prices have spiked, and international concern is growing by the hour.
In a precautionary step, Cyprus has also activated its Special National Plan “ESTIA,” a framework used to assist in the reception and safe passage of foreign nationals during regional crises. ESTIA was last used during previous flare-ups in the Middle East, positioning Cyprus as a critical evacuation hub.
No direct threats to Cyprus have been reported, but the island’s proximity to the conflict zone, just under 1,000 kilometers from both Israel and Iran, makes it a key location for international operations and crisis response.
As a longstanding partner to both EU and regional allies, Cyprus often plays a behind-the-scenes role in diplomatic coordination, airspace monitoring, and humanitarian efforts.
This latest emergency meeting is expected to include top military, intelligence, and civil defense officials. The government has not yet released details of potential further actions but is closely monitoring the rapidly developing situation.
