Italy sending navy vessel on mission to help protect Cyprus

An Italian navy vessel is preparing to sail to Cyprus, a navy spokesperson says, as part of a joint European mission to protect the island after it came under Iranian fire this week.

The Federico Martinengo frigate will be deployed in the Cyprus area as part of a coordinated mission also involving France, Spain and the Netherlands.

A British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus was targeted on Monday by an Iranian-made drone following the U.S. and ⁠Israeli attack against Tehran.

The Italian navy says around 160 crew members will be on board the vessel, which is expected to depart from Italy by Saturday.