Iran war drives Greek and Turkish military build-up on both sides of divided Cyprus

The crisis surrounding Iran has led to a build-up of Greek and Turkish military assets on both sides of the divided island of Cyprus, effectively returning the island to the status of a dense military hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey announced on 9 March that it had deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to the northern part of Cyprus, which Ankara refers to as the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. The move was justified as necessary to strengthen security “in the context of the latest developments in the region”.

The deployment followed the arrival of four Greek F-16s in the Republic of Cyprus and the dispatch of Greek frigates. At the same time, the European military presence around Cyprus has been reinforced, with participation from countries including France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Ankara presents the move as defensive and linked to the regional crisis in the Middle East. For similar reasons, Athens has dispatched Greek F-16 fighter jets and frigates, alongside an increased French and broader European presence.

“The Eastern Mediterranean is entering a new phase of military density, as the regional crisis triggered by the Iran-US-Israel war is now directly transferring to the Cypriot theatre,” Greek media outlet IBNA, a partner of EUalive, wrote in an analysis.

Cyprus has already been at the centre of Western defence deployments following a drone strike at the British base in Akrotiri. France has since strengthened its presence with a frigate and ground-based anti-drone and anti-missile systems, alongside Greek and wider European military movements.

Analysis: drone attack punctures Cyprus’ image as ‘neutral’ bridge in East Mediterranean

The Turkish deployment of F-16s in northern Cyprus is widely interpreted by the Greek public as a form of direct military signalling, indicating that Ankara is no longer limiting itself to deterrent rhetoric but is bringing frontline air assets into the Cypriot theatre.

Turkish officials, however, attempted to frame the move as purely defensive. Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for the ruling AK Party, said the deployment of Turkish F-16s “does not target anyone” and was undertaken “solely for security reasons”. He also argued that northern Cyprus lies at the centre of developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In the same context, Çelik criticised the close relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel and downplayed the significance of Greek and Greek Cypriot military moves. He argued that Turkey has been preparing for such scenarios for years, adding that the country’s response relies on “its own strength” and is guided by considerations of national security, economic resilience, the protection of Turkish citizens abroad and food security.

For its part, Greece presented the deployment of four F-16 fighter jets and naval units to the Republic of Cyprus as defensive assistance in response to the increased threat from drones and missiles in the region.

France has also reinforced its presence with a frigate and additional anti-drone and anti-missile systems, while Spain remains among the European countries maintaining a naval presence around Cyprus.

Taken together, these moves – regardless of their individual national justifications – are turning the island into a hub for advanced surveillance, air defence and maritime deterrence at a time when the entire Eastern Mediterranean is functioning as a zone of heightened strategic risk.

‘An attack on Cyprus is an attack on Europe’

France is deploying about a dozen naval vessels, including its aircraft ‌carrier strike group, to the Mediterranean, Red Sea and potentially the Strait of Hormuz as part of defensive support to allies threatened by the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking in Cyprus before visiting the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, which arrived this weekend in the eastern Mediterranean, President Emmanuel Macron sought to reassure his Cypriot counterpart after drones were intercepted heading towards the island last week.

“When Cyprus is attacked, then Europe is attacked,” Macron said ⁠after meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos.

“The Republic of Cyprus, part of the European family, is not and will never be alone,” Mitsotakis said.

Christodoulides stressed that Greece, France and Cyprus were sending a clear message that Europe is determined to guarantee the security of its member states and work towards stability in the region.

“Your presence in Paphos today is essential for Cyprus and for Europe,” he said, adding that the security of Cyprus represents a collective European responsibility.

“Dear Kyriakos, I do not need to explain the reasons why the presence of the F-16s and the frigates moved all of us. They highlight the historical ties that unite Cyprus and Greece and the certainty that we stand by one another,” he added.

Addressing Macron, Christodoulides said that France’s response – including the deployment of a frigate and the Mistral air-defence system – demonstrates that France is a strategic ally of Cyprus.

He added that this solidarity reflects a shared belief in the need for stability and security in the region.

“Recent developments remind us that everything happening in the Middle East affects Europe – energy stability, migration flows and our collective European future,” Christodoulides said, stressing that the EU should play a more active role in the wider region.

“The position of the Republic of Cyprus is clear: we are not involved in military operations. We continue to play the humanitarian role we have served all this time, as part of the solution and not the problem. We know what war means – we are the victim of an illegal invasion – and therefore our every action is aimed at ensuring peace,” he said.

Macron added that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently operating very close to Cyprus, with the aim of strengthening the island’s air defences. He noted that recent attacks have targeted neighbouring countries and expressed France’s solidarity with them.

Sources: Politis, IBNA

Caption: French President Emmanuel Macron (C-L), Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (C-R), and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C) watch members of the military at Paphos military airport, in Paphos, Cyprus, 9 March 2026, on the day of Macron’s visit to show France’s solidarity after recent drone attacks amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, and aimed at reinforcing European security in the Eastern Mediterranean. EPA/Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL