After meeting the Cypriot defence minister, Healey said the “longstanding friendship” between the UK and Cyprus was “strong in the face of Iranian threats”.

The drone which struck RAF Akrotiri caused “minimal damage” and did not result in any casualties, the defence minister said earlier this week.

Western officials said the Shahed-type drone was not fired from Iran. However, officials would not say where the missile originated from.

Further drones headed towards the base were intercepted and the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) temporarily moved family members from the base to alternative accommodation.

Asked by Newsnight whether people in Cyprus felt protected by the UK, Kouros said: “Let’s say the people are disappointed, the people are scared, the people could expect more.”

He added he would “thank [Starmer] for paying attention to our worries and I’d love to see more”.

Norris told BBC Breakfast on Thursday that defensive systems set up in the eastern Mediterranean have had a “really significant impact in recent days”.

“We are absolutely resolute in protecting the nation’s interests – and that’s what we’re doing and we’re working of course with our partners of which Cyprus is obviously a really close one,” Norris said.