Iran Rejects U.S. Talks; Regional Strikes Expand As Greece Deploys Forces To Cyprus

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Iran has rejected negotiations with the United States as military escalation spread across the Middle East and into the eastern Mediterranean after the U.S. and Israel began striking the Islamic Republic early Saturday.

Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, denied reports of contacts with the White House and accused U.S. President Donald J. Trump of destabilizing the region. Larijani said Trump had shifted his slogan from “America First” to “Israel First.”

He made the remarks as violence continued across several countries.

In Bahrain, a worker was killed, and two others were seriously injured when debris from an intercepted missile fell onto a ship during Iranian retaliatory strikes. On Saturday, an Iranian drone attack also caused damage at Bahrain International Airport.

Elsewhere, Israel said it carried out fresh overnight airstrikes on targets in central Tehran. At the same time, Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah positions across Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, in response to rocket attacks.

Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by Israel and most Western countries, confirmed firing rockets and drones following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Israeli strikes in Lebanon. It marked Hezbollah’s first attack against Israel since the November 2024 ceasefire.

GREECE DEPLOYS NAVAL AND AIR ASSETS

The armed conflict also impacted Europe, with Greece announcing it is sending two frigates and two fighter jets to Cyprus to help protect the island against potential drone threats.

The Greek Ministry of Defence said Cyprus would be protected “by all possible means.” Cyprus hosts the British RAF base at Akrotiri, which is also used by U.S. forces and was reportedly targeted by Iran.

Cypriot authorities said Monday two hostile drones were intercepted near the island. The drones were reportedly heading toward Akrotiri, which was evacuated as a precaution.

A terminal at Cyprus’ Paphos Airport was also cleared due to the drone threat, officials said. Video footage obtained by Worthy News showed anxious crowds moving from the area.

Earlier the British Royal Air Force base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was struck overnight in what officials described as a drone attack. Britain’s Ministry of Defence reported no casualties and only minor damage.

However, the attacks prompted the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus to warn of potential drone risks and advised staff not to visit the office.

The expanding military activity — stretching from Iran and Iraq to Lebanon, Bahrain, Cyprus, and the Gulf — has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.

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