Italy summoned Iran's ambassador in protest over the drone attack on the British base in Cyprus, AFP reported Tuesday, citing Italy's Foreign Ministry.

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Cyprus — an EU member state like Italy — was attacked in the early hours of Monday by Iranian-made drones, one of which landed on the runway. A Cypriot government source told AFP the same day that the drones were launched from nearby Lebanon, likely by Hezbollah.

Italy on Tuesday continued evacuating its citizens from Gulf states, including around 300 people who flew to Rome from Muscat, Oman, and a group of 200, mainly students from Abu Dhabi, who were flown to Milan, the Foreign Ministry said. Others are being transported by bus from the UAE to Oman, and from Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar to Saudi Arabia.

The US and Israel have been striking Iranian territory since February 28, causing destruction and casualties. In response, Iran has been launching missile strikes against Israel and US military bases in the region. Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Seyyed Khamenei and other senior officials were also killed in the Israeli-American strikes.

On March 2, Hezbollah joined the war against Israel. Israel announced the launch of an offensive operation against the movement and entered southern Lebanon.