Israeli and Lebanese sources reported on Tuesday that an Iranian missile intercepted over northern Lebanon may have been aimed at the British bases in Cyprus, according to US military assessments.
Israel’s Channel 12 cited a senior US official saying the missile disintegrated mid-air, scattering debris across towns north of Beirut and causing minor injuries.
Lebanese media, including Al-Jadeed, cited security sources suggesting the missile either malfunctioned or was shot down from a foreign warship in the eastern Mediterranean.
Initial reports that an apartment in Jounieh had been hit were later questioned, with shrapnel confirmed to have fallen in surrounding towns in the Keserwan district instead.
American analysts cited by the Israeli journalist Barak Ravid stated that, according to US military estimates, the missile that fell in Lebanon was likely targeting the British bases in Cyprus or a location linked to the recent expulsion of the Iranian ambassador from Lebanon.
“The direction may have been Cyprus,” Israeli sources informed Channel 12, while Lebanese military sources reported that commando units were dispatched to reinforce security at the US embassy in Beirut.
Lebanese security sources said the fallen missile, likely a ballistic type, had a trajectory suggesting a foreign warship interception.
Israeli army officials are reviewing the information, with no confirmation of the intended target beyond preliminary US assessments.
The missile incident coincided with three Turkish F-16 fighter jets taking off from Tymbou (Ercan) airport in the north.
Sources said the jets were conducting operations, though it was unclear whether this was a training exercise or part of a repositioning.
The republic has yet to issue any statements regarding the missile and the Cyprus Mail contacted the UK defence ministry for comment.
More to follow…
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