Source: Reuters
Cyprus has found itself in the middle of rising tensions between Iran and Israel after President Nikos Christodoulides said Sunday that Tehran asked Nicosia to relay “some messages” to the Israeli government.
Speaking to reporters in Nicosia, Christodoulides confirmed he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day and planned to pass along the messages during their conversation. However, he did not reveal any details about the content or source of the messages. Cypriot officials also declined to offer clarity, only confirming that the request came after a phone call between Cyprus' foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart on Friday night.
The development comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran threatens to spiral further. Iran launched missiles toward Israel over the weekend, some of which were visible from various points across Cyprus, according to eyewitness reports. In response, Cyprus has renewed its appeal for calm and has offered to help evacuate third-country nationals from the region if the situation worsens.
Christodoulides also expressed frustration with what he described as a slow response from the European Union. As the EU country geographically closest to the Middle East, Cyprus has requested an emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the escalating situation.
“It’s not enough for the EU to claim a geopolitical role,” the Cypriot president told reporters. “It must act when faced with developments of this magnitude.”
Cyprus has long positioned itself as a humanitarian and diplomatic bridge between East and West. Officials in Nicosia are once again calling for restraint on all sides and emphasizing the island’s role as a neutral partner prepared to assist in de-escalation efforts.
The information is based on a report by Reuters.
