Israel says Iranian plot to attack citizens in Cyprus foiled
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An Israeli woman hugging her partner at Israel's Haifa Port, after she sailed back to Israel from Cyprus together with other Israelis, on June 19.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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JERUSALEM – Israel said on June 21 that an Iranian plot to attack Israeli citizens in Cyprus had been foiled, as the war between the two arch-rivals raged for a ninth day.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had “tried to carry out an attack on Israeli citizens in Cyprus”, a transit point where thousands have gathered either awaiting repatriation to Israel or having left the country.
“Thanks to the activity of the Cypriot security authorities, in cooperation with Israeli security services, the terror attack was thwarted,” Mr Saar said.
Cyprus police said earlier on June 21 that they had arrested an individual
It was not clear whether the arrest was related to the plan mentioned by Mr Saar, and Cypriot police declined to provide extensive details on the case.
The Mediterranean island, home to many Israeli expats and a popular holiday destination, has become a staging post for Israelis seeking to return home by air or sea
A first boat from Cyprus carrying 1,500 Israelis docked in the Israeli port of Ashdod on June 20.
After Israel’s airports were closed and outbound flights cancelled following Israel’s attack on Iran
Thousands have since returned home on flights by Israeli national carrier El Al and low-cost airline Arkia, with Larnaca in Cyprus serving as a hub along with Athens, Milan, Paris and Rome.
Thanks to its location in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has become a key transit hub for third-country nationals fleeing the region since the recent outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran. AFP
