WSOP Cancels Cyprus Poker Series Due to Iran Conflict

The World Series of Poker canceled its Super Circuit series in Cyprus, scheduled to run from April 25 through May 11. The decision was made due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has raised safety concerns for the event. The island nation of Cyprus is roughly 220 miles from the coast of Israel, a main combatant in the war.

The Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa was scheduled to host the series, but the WSOP noted on X/Twitter that the safety of their players, staff, and partners is always their top priority. The WSOP news follows the World Poker Tour’s recent cancellation of its WPT Prime event in Cyprus earlier this month.

The conflict in Iran began on Feb. 28, with American and Israeli forces bombing numerous military sites throughout the country. The Iranian regime responded by striking several countries throughout the Middle East, including a strike on a British military base in Cyprus. An Iranian-made drone, launched from Lebanon, hit the Royal Air Force Akrotiri facility on March 1, with limited damage to the base. Two more drones were intercepted the same day, and Greek fighter jets shot down two more drones headed for Cyprus just a few days after the initial launch.