US extends suspension of arms embargo against Cyprus until 30 September 2027

The US Department of State has extended the suspension of the arms embargo against Cyprus for another year, from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. An amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) has been published in the Federal Register: during this period, Cyprus’s status as a prohibited destination for US defence articles and services will remain suspended.

The decision is based on two conditions whose fulfilment was certified by the US Secretary of State on 10 July 2026. Cyprus must continue cooperating with Washington on anti-money-laundering reforms and financial-sector oversight, and must also continue to deny Russian military vessels access to its ports for refuelling and servicing.

The US imposed an arms embargo on Cyprus in 1987. It was first suspended in October 2022, and the restrictions have been lifted annually ever since, through a separate decision for each fiscal year.

The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the extension, calling it a reflection of the “expanding strategic partnership and cooperation” between the two countries in defence and security. The ministry recalled that a defence and security cooperation dialogue was launched in 2021, a bilateral military cooperation roadmap was signed in 2024, and Cyprus gained access to the US Foreign Military Sales and Excess Defense Articles programmes — the sale of weapons to foreign governments and the transfer of surplus military equipment.

The ministry added that it expected initiatives in the US Congress to permanently lift the embargo. According to the ministry, long-term relief from the restrictions would provide predictability in defence cooperation and allow procurement to be planned years in advance, something the annual format does not allow.