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Greece and Cyprus Helped Israel during War with Iran
(Dayan Center for Middle Eastern Studies-Tel Aviv University) Spyros Katsoulas - Hours before Israel's assault on Iran, its entire civil airline fleet was quietly relocated from Israeli to Greek and Cypriot airports. Athens and Nicosia permitted the landings and supported the operation, arresting Iranian-linked operatives in both countries. To carry extended-range missions into Iran, Israel required aerial refueling. Multiple U.S. KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling tankers were redeployed from the U.S. to various European bases - including Souda Bay naval and air base in Crete. On June 16, Greek Patriot missile systems were reportedly redeployed to Souda to augment anti-missile protection. According to Greek media, several KC-135 tankers operated from Souda to support U.S. B-2 bombers taking part in operations against Iranian nuclear facilities. The writer is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the American College of Greece in Athens.