The marina in Herzliya has become a makeshift terminal where hundreds of Israelis scramble to flee to Cyprus via yacht as Iranian strikes rain down. The sight points to Cyprus’s new role as refuge and mediator in an increasingly volatile Middle East.
At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Nicosia for the first Indian state visit in 23 years sends another clear message: the divided island republic has emerged as an unexpected player in mideast geopolitics despite its own unresolved territorial status.
Cyprus Finds Itself Centre Stage Amid Iran Israel Conflict
The small island republic has been thrust into the middle of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel in ways that few could have predicted. Cyprus plays a diplomatic role in international efforts to end clashes between the two countries.
Tehran has asked Cyprus to convey messages to Israel through President Nikos Christodoulides, who later spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The situation became more precarious last year when then Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned Cyprus it could become part of a war with Israel if it allowed Israeli military use of Cypriot facilities.
Nasrallah specifically singled out the possibility of Cypriot bases being used as launch pads for an invasion of Lebanon. Cyprus has maintained it remains uninvolved in any war whilst carrying on with humanitarian assistance to Palestinians through maritime corridors.
Modi Visit Sends Strategic Message To Regional Powers
Modi’s Cyprus visit carries particular weight given Türkiye’s support for Pakistan during last month’s Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Prime Minister’s trip is being viewed as a diplomatic signal to Türkiye, which has controlled one-third of Cyprus since 1974. The schedule is no coincidence.
India and Cyprus agreed to boost their defence partnership through expanded collaboration between their military sectors. Both countries also pledged to enhance maritime cooperation, including more frequent Indian naval visits to Cypriot ports.
Modi described the visit as the beginning of a “new era” in India-Cyprus bonds, rooted in their shared history as former British colonies and their cooperation through the Non-Aligned Movement.
Türkiye Pakistan Iran Alliance Complicates Regional Balance
The growing alignment between Türkiye, Pakistan, and Iran creates new challenges for Cyprus’s position in regional geopolitics. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed support for Tehran during the current conflict with Israel.
Türkiye has offered to act as a “facilitator” in ending the Iran-Israel conflict whilst expressing concern about refugee flows from Iran.
Reports indicate that Türkiye was notified by the United States of Israel’s plans to strike Iran, helping to prevent potential tensions between Türkiye and Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has advocated for diplomacy as the only solution whilst placing Turkish Air Force on high alert.
India Cyprus Partnership Counters China Belt Road Initiative
The strategic partnership between India and Cyprus extends well past regional politics into global economic competition.
The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor trade link, which Cyprus would help facilitate, is widely seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
President Christodoulides described Cyprus as India's "gateway into Europe," offering a base for Indian firms looking to expand westward.
Cyprus’s role as a potential hub for the IMEC corridor places it at the crossroads of major power competition between China and the West.
The corridor aims to enhance trade, energy, and digital connectivity, positioning Cyprus strategically due to its proximity to both India and the Middle East.
Divided Status Creates Unique Diplomatic Opportunities
Critics might argue that Cyprus’s own unresolved division undermines its effectiveness as a regional mediator. How can a nation still split since 1974 credibly mediate between other divided parties? The Turkish-aligned north remains unrecognised internationally whilst the Greek Cypriot south holds EU membership.
Yet Cyprus’s divided status may actually enhance its diplomatic utility. The island understands the costs of unresolved conflict firsthand. Its position as an EU member state closest to the Middle East, combined with its history of offering sanctuary to Lebanese refugees during their civil war, gives Cyprus unique credentials.
President Christodoulides’s ability to communicate with both Iranian and Israeli leaders simultaneously demonstrates how Cyprus can serve as a bridge between opposing sides.
Europe Needs Cyprus As Middle East Gateway
The solution lies in European recognition that Cyprus offers something irreplaceable: a stable, EU-aligned platform for engagement with the volatile Middle East.
Rather than viewing Cyprus’s divided status as a weakness, Europe should embrace the island’s potential as a diplomatic hub and economic gateway.
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
Modi’s Vision of India Comes Up Against the South
Stalemate in Cyprus: Talks Yield No Breakthrough
A Tug of War: One Island and Two Visions
