European powers announced on Thursday that they will 'work together to safeguard the shipping in Red Sea, and send naval assets and other resources to protect Cyprus.

The conflict has spread beyond Gulf States to the Mediterranean and even as far as Asia, where a British base in Cyprus was hit by a drone on Monday. It has also caused global markets to be thrown into turmoil and sent oil prices skyrocketing.

Rome's defence minister Guido Crosetto said that Italy, Spain France and the Netherlands would send assets to Cyprus in the next few days.

The French President Emmanuel Macron met with the Prime Ministers of Italy, Greece and Cyprus on Thursday. "They all agreed to increase cooperation to protect shipping in the Red Sea as well as to coordinate 'the dispatch of military resources to Cyprus,'" a source told AFP.

'WE ARE NOT AT WAR,' ITALY'S MELONI SAYS

The plans excluded any direct involvement in war, underscoring?the delicate equilibrium European governments seek to strike regarding the conflict that involves their long-term allies the United States.

In a radio interview with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melons on Thursday, Meloni stated: "We aren't at war and don't want to go into a war."

John Healey, British Defense Secretary, met with his Cypriot counterpart to discuss plans for further strengthening air defences.

Healey told X that "the longstanding friendship between the UK, and the Republic of Cyprus, is strong against Iranian threats."

The UK has announced that it will 'deploy a destroyer in the region, along with additional helicopters equipped to counter drones.

Britain has not taken offensive action against Iran like the U.S. or Israel, but it has participated in defensive operations such as shooting down drones. The British government has given permission for the United States to conduct limited defensive operations from British bases.

Western officials believe that a drone which hit the Akrotiri Cyprus base was likely launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah, backed by Iran.

The island will not be used to attack Iran, both the British government and the Cypriot government have stated.

SPAIN SENDS FRIGATE

Spain, which has so far avoided defensive operations, announced on Thursday that it would send its Christopher Columbus air defense frigate to Cyprus.

The ship will support the Patriot missile interceptor system deployed by Spain in Turkey.

The Dutch government announced on Wednesday that it is evaluating a request for assistance in securing maritime traffic, which has been 'threatened' by the escalating crises.

Meloni stated that Rome would respond on Thursday to requests by Gulf nations for air defence equipment in order to counter Iranian air attacks, citing the necessity to protect Italians and their troops in the area.

She told RTL 102.5 that "these are people we want to and must protect".

Rome has yet to specify which countries will receive the aid and has not made a final decision. Sources have told us that SAMP/T surface -to- air?missile batteries could be included in the supplies.

On Thursday, a French military official announced that Paris had authorized the temporary presence of "U.S. Aircraft can be based at French bases, as long as they do not participate in Iran-related operations.

Officially, the agreement does not cover French bases in the Middle East. The official stated that, "Given this context, France required that these assets strictly support our partners' defence in the region." Reporting by Claudia Cristoferi and Angelo Amante, in Milan; Inti Landauro, in Paris; additional reporting by Sam Tabahriti, and William James, in London, Paolo Laudani, in Madrid. Writing by Giselda Vangnoni. Editing by Alexandra Hudson, Andrew Heavens and Andrew Heavens.

(source: Reuters)