The recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have intensified tensions in the Middle East and sent shockwaves through the Eastern Mediterranean. For Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, the fallout has been immediate and complex. Greece and Cyprus have responded in markedly different ways from Turkey, exposing deep divisions in foreign policy and strategic direction that could further strain their already fragile relationship.
On Sunday, US bombers and submarines targeted three of Iran’s most critical nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan—prompting a fast and forceful response from Tehran. Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, hitting cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa. Hundreds of civilians were injured, and although many rockets were intercepted, the damage was serious. As global leaders called for restraint, the governments of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey moved quickly to reassess their positions and prepare for what could come next.
Greece
In Athens, the government acted swiftly. Greece’s top defence and security body, the Government Council on Foreign and Defence Affairs (KYSEA), met to review the situation. The main focus was protecting Greece’s critical infrastructure, ensuring the safety of Greek ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz, and preparing for a potential rise in migration from the Middle East.
Greece remains firmly aligned with its Western allies, including the United States and Israel. In recent years, it has strengthened defence partnerships, taken part in joint military exercises, and supported regional energy projects. However, Greek officials are keen to avoid being drawn into direct military involvement. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasised the importance of restraint and diplomacy, confirming that Greece will work through NATO and the European Union to support peace efforts.
Greece is also closely monitoring the potential economic impacts of the crisis, particularly on energy prices and tourism. Officials have expressed concern that further instability could disrupt shipping routes and lead to new challenges at home.
Cyprus
Cyprus has taken on a quieter but important role in the unfolding crisis. With its strategic location, the island has become a key hub for emergency evacuations. Airports in Larnaca and Paphos, along with the British RAF base at Akrotiri, have handled numerous flights helping civilians leave Israel. A cruise ship carrying more than 1,000 Americans also docked safely in Limassol.
At the diplomatic level, Cyprus has been acting behind the scenes. President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed that his government passed messages between Iran and Israel in an attempt to open lines of communication. Although Iran later denied initiating the contact, Cyprus’s role as both an EU member and a neutral channel has drawn attention.
Christodoulides also criticised the European Union for not acting quickly enough. “It is not possible for the EU to speak of strategic autonomy and yet refuse to call an emergency meeting when the region is on the edge of war,” he said. Cyprus’s position has focused on humanitarian assistance and efforts to reduce tensions, rather than picking sides. Still, the island remains vulnerable to the wider consequences of conflict, especially in terms of economic stability, security, and tourism.
Turkey
Turkey’s reaction has been the most forceful of the three. The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the US strikes as reckless, warning they could lead to wider regional conflict. Senior officials, including Vice-President Cevdet Yilmaz and communications chief Fahrettin Altun, described the attacks as irresponsible and said they risked fuelling further extremism.
President Erdoğan has taken a more measured public tone but has reportedly spoken privately with both President Trump and Iranian leaders, offering Turkey’s help as a potential mediator. While calling for calm, Ankara has also taken clear steps to bolster its own security. Turkish forces have increased their presence along the Iranian border, and the government has announced plans to fast-track domestic missile production. Defence Minister Yaşar Güler said that Turkey would protect its sovereignty and maintain strategic independence.
Turkey has also criticised the growing US military presence in Cyprus, suggesting that increased American support for Nicosia shifts the regional balance. Ankara’s position reflects its long-term strategy of pursuing regional influence independently of NATO and distancing itself from Western policy on Israel and Iran.
Risk of Strained Relations
The different responses from Greece-Cyprus and Turkey are sharpening existing divisions. While Greece and Cyprus remain broadly aligned with the West and have shown strong support for Israel and the United States, Turkey is moving in another direction—openly criticising the strikes, calling for mediation, and positioning itself as a neutral but assertive regional actor.
This divergence risks aggravating unresolved disputes. Longstanding tensions over maritime borders, airspace, refugee flows and energy resources could intensify if the current crisis deepens. Turkey’s efforts to present itself as an alternative to Western alignment, particularly in contrast to the positions of Greece and Cyprus, could further erode trust and cooperation between the three countries.
The NATO summit in The Hague this week will be an important moment. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are expected to meet on the sidelines. One of the main items for discussion is the long-postponed High-Level Cooperation Council, which may now take place in Ankara in July. But with Greece and Cyprus edging closer to Western defence strategies and Turkey asserting its independence, chances of real progress remain uncertain.
Analysts warn that without new diplomatic mechanisms or confidence-building measures, the Eastern Mediterranean could become a hotspot for geopolitical confrontation. Any misstep—whether at sea, in the air, or over energy development—could trigger a serious incident.
Looking Ahead
Despite the rising tensions, there are still paths to prevent escalation. Experts are calling for better coordination between NATO and the EU to avoid accidents in shared airspace or territorial waters. Shared energy projects that include Turkey could help reduce friction and promote economic cooperation. Cyprus and Greece are seeking stronger EU support in handling crisis diplomacy, while Turkey continues to offer itself as a mediator between Iran and the West.
What’s needed most is political will. Leaders in Athens, Nicosia and Ankara will have to make hard choices: between national pride and regional peace, between old rivalries and new realities.
This week’s NATO summit may not deliver breakthroughs, but it could shape the region’s direction for years to come. As the Israel–Iran conflict escalates, the Eastern Mediterranean faces renewed tension. Greece and Cyprus share a broadly similar stance that contrasts with Turkey’s position, raising the risk of deepening already long-standing and unresolved disputes with Ankara.
