UK Deploys HMS Dragon to Cyprus Following Drone Strike on RAF Akrotiri; UN Calls for Investigation into Deadly Iranian School Attack

The United Kingdom is deploying the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and helicopters equipped with counter-drone capabilities to Cyprus in response to a recent drone strike on RAF Akrotiri. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the deployment, emphasizing the UK's commitment to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel stationed there. The drone attack, which occurred on March 2, caused minimal damage and no injuries. Defence Secretary John Healey described the incident as an example of the "dangerous and indiscriminate attacks" by Iran and its proxies.

In a separate development, the United Nations has called for a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into a deadly strike on a girls' primary school in Minab, southern Iran. The attack, which took place on March 1, resulted in the deaths of at least 150 people, many of whom were students. UNESCO condemned the bombing as a grave violation of humanitarian law, stating that attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education.

UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasized the need for accountability, stating, "The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it." She also urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to the negotiating table to prevent further escalation of the conflict.