Panic in Cyprus as 'suspicious object' disrupts flights as Iran war fears grow

(FILE PIC) Larnaka international airport in Cyprus (Image: Getty)

Cyprus was forced to take action following the sighting of a "suspicious object". Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis issued a statement on March 4 about a suspicious object detected in the airspace near Lebanon. Widespread local reports claimed the airspace had been closed.

He wrote on X: "A possible suspicious object has been detected in the airspace near Lebanon. For precautionary reasons, all appropriate measures have been taken by the competent authorities to investigate the incident and, if required, to address it. An update on the outcome will follow."

A possible suspicious object has been detected in the airspace near Lebanon (Image: Getty)

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In an update Mr Letymbiotis , aspokesperson for the Republic of Cyprus, said two flights were requested to remain in holding patterns for a short period of time in order to provide the necessary operational space.

This comes just two days after Paphos International Airport in Cyprus was urgently evacuated following reports of a possible drone threat in the Paphos area.

The country's second largest airport was ordered into an immediate and total evacuation after an unidentified drone was detected within the facility's restricted airspace.

The latest conflict began on Saturday morning when Israel and the US launched an attack against Iran's leadership and military, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei among those killed.