Nicosia on Tuesday continued staying mum over the thwarting of an alleged Iranian attack against Israeli targets in Cyprus even though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised it.
At the same time, Nicosia is reportedly annoyed with Iran which has issued a lengthy statement strongly denying any involvement in the alleged criminal activity but also with Israel.
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Tuesday morning repeated on state radio that the government cannot comment on issues regarding Cyprus’ national security.
But he also said: “Israel has every right to respond (to an issue such as this) the way it deems necessary but a coordinated response would have been better.”
On Sunday, a statement from Netanyahu’s office did not give any more details but said Israel welcomed the foiling of the Iranian terrorist attack in the territory of Cyprus against Israeli targets.
“Israel operates everywhere in a wide variety of methods in order to protect Jews and Israelis and will continue to act to sever Iranian terrorism wherever it raises its head, including on Iranian soil,” the statement also said.
As for the Iranian Embassy, it described Israel’s allegations as part of a recurrent Zionist conspiracy. And a futile attempt to undermine the friendly relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Insiders said Nicosia is annoyed with Iran’s stance considering that authorities have the details of the alleged main perpetrator who is of Iranian origin and had crossed to the Republic via the breakaway north.
He is nowhere to be seen but six Syrians arrested late on Sunday for questioning in connection with the case have been released since no incriminating evidence was found against them.
