Akrotiri on the Iranian newspaper's map of potential targets. Nine countries are identified.

The British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus has been included on a map of potential targets published by the Iranian daily Hamshahri. The cover of the November 3, 2026 issue depicts military installations in nine European countries. Alongside Cyprus and Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Romania, Albania, and Portugal are also listed.

This is a press release regarding a possible escalation of the conflict, not an official announcement of a decision to attack the designated locations. The newspaper argues that infrastructure supporting American operations could become subject to Iranian retaliatory actions. This does not constitute independent confirmation of plans or the possibility of such attacks.

Akrotiri on the map of Iranian newspaper

The first page of "Hamshahri" features a map of Europe with red markers and a figure in military uniform. It is accompanied by a large English inscription reading "We'll see what happens."

The Farsi-language headline refers to the Iranian armed forces updating their target list "without geographical restrictions." This is a newspaper report that should be distinguished from the military publishing its official target list.

Hamshahri is a daily newspaper affiliated with the Tehran municipal government. Its cover has a distinctly political and demonstrative character.

Is Poland on the list?

Poland appears on the map of Europe as a geographic feature. However, it is not mentioned in the captions of the installations indicated, nor in the full list of nine countries provided by IranWire and SigmaLive.

The mere presence of a country's name on the map does not indicate it as a potential target. There is no basis for including Poland in the list based on this cover.

What does the cover say about the Cyprus base?

In the case of Cyprus, the publication points to Akrotiri. This is a British air base located on a peninsula near Limassol, in an area under British sovereignty. It is not a base of the Republic of Cyprus armed forces.

The official RAF website describes Akrotiri as a base supporting regional operations and activities in the Middle East. The Iranian newspaper uses this military nature of the installation to justify its argument.

The Journal's designation of the objects as "legitimate targets" is the publication's position. It does not, in itself, constitute a resolution of their status under international law.

Similar reports in other Iranian media

Cyprus Mail and Politis report that the conservative daily Kayhan also wrote about the possibility of strikes on military installations in Europe, mentioning Cyprus and Greece.

The repetition of a similar narrative by several media outlets demonstrates the direction of media coverage. However, it does not constitute confirmation of an operational decision. Similarly, the missile range estimates cited in these publications require separate verification.

The publication comes amid another rise in tensions

The reports were published following reports of new US strikes on Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, according to the Cyprus Mail, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared his support for developing relations with Cyprus during the reception of the new ambassador's credentials.

For islanders, it's crucial to distinguish between a menacing press release and a confirmed warning about a specific threat. The cover alone doesn't allow for the likelihood or timing of an attack. However, it does confirm that the British base in Cyprus has been incorporated into the public narrative about a possible escalation of the conflict.