**British Tourist in Cyprus Captures Moment Iranian Missiles Fly Towards Israel**
A British holidaymaker staying in Cyprus has filmed what is believed to be Iranian missiles en route to Israel, in a moment that has highlighted just how quickly distant conflicts can intrude on everyday life for those living or travelling in the eastern Mediterranean.
Sapphire Beard-Griffith, a 20-year-old from Colchester in Essex, was unwinding with her partner beside the pool of their holiday villa in Paphos on 15 June when the serenity of the evening was broken. What began as a quiet night with drinks and snacks took an unexpected turn as her partner suddenly noticed something unusual in the sky. Looking up, Beard-Griffith describes seeing “bright orange streaks glowing” above them.
Quick to react, she took out her phone and recorded what she later realised were missiles being launched, likely part of the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. “We were just enjoying a quiet evening, then everything changed in a moment,” Beard-Griffith recalled. She said the mood instantly shifted from relaxed to deeply unsettling. “It was shocking how quickly everything felt different – it was a stark reminder that conflict isn’t always as far away as we think.”
Recent weeks have seen tensions soar across the Middle East, spilling over into neighbouring territories. The latest round of escalation began earlier this month, when Israel reportedly conducted airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear and military sites, prompting a forceful response from Iran on 13 June. Iranian forces launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting cities across Israel, and both nations traded further strikes in the days that followed.
The situation further intensified when, on 21 June, US President Donald Trump announced air raids on three Iranian nuclear facilities, drawing the United States deeper into the ongoing hostilities. Iran, in turn, fired missiles at a US airbase, though officials in Qatar reported that all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, international actors have called for calm, and a ceasefire agreement was tentatively reached as of 24 June, though fraught with accusations of violations on both sides.
Reports from Iranian state television deny that any missiles were launched after the ceasefire, while Iran continues to insist that it will honour the agreement provided Israel does the same. Israel’s defence minister, for his part, has accused Iran of breaking the terms.
In the wake of the missile incident, Beard-Griffith shared her video on social media, where it quickly gathered attention and garnered hundreds of comments from viewers equally shocked by the events. Others holidaying in Cyprus chimed in: “We are in Cyprus and we also saw them,” confirmed one user named Lauren, while others expressed a deep sense of unease about witnessing conflict up close, with comments such as “The world is so scary now” and “Heartbreaking. This world is becoming so frightening.”
The story underscores the broader reality that major regional conflict can have a tangible impact far beyond its immediate borders. With Cyprus positioned in close proximity to the Middle East, residents and tourists alike find themselves, at times, uncomfortably close to the action.
While Beard-Griffith and other holidaymakers in Cyprus attempted to continue enjoying their travels, she admitted that witnessing such an episode has left a lasting effect. “Even though the actual conflict might be hundreds of miles away, it made me realise just how connected everything is,” she reflected.
This episode provides a sobering reminder of how quickly tensions in one part of the globe can unsettle lives in another, and how even the most peaceful settings can be disrupted when geopolitical rivalries flare up. For those residing or travelling in neighbouring regions, proximity to conflict serves as a poignant illustration of the uncertainty of the current times.