War in the Middle East: Britain’s involvement so far, from sea to sky

The article reports that the UK initially refused to join US and Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian regime and its missile launch sites when they began a week ago, a stance that drew the ire of Trump and the right wing of British politics.

Last week the government confirmed RAF Eurofighter Typhoon and US-made F-35 jets have been used to back up the safety of allies in the Gulf in "defensive operations" to shoot down drones.

The Guardian

Starmer said at a press conference that four more Typhoon jets were being sent to Qatar to support air defences in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates after Iranian drones and missiles struck the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Ministry of Defence said it has flown missions to protect Bahrain and Jordan.

The Ministry of Defence said an RAF F-35 pilot shot down two drones last week.

The Ministry of Defence said an RAF counter-drone unit downed drones in Iraqi airspace heading towards 'coalition forces'.

The Ministry of Defence said a Typhoon jet shot down an Iranian attack aimed at Qatar.

The Ministry of Defence said more helicopters — two Wildcats and a Merlin to RAF Akrotiri — have also been deployed to bolster air defences and surveillance.

The US asked Britain before it launched strikes whether it could use Fairford and Diego Garcia, but the UK rejected the request.

The article says Starmer later softened his position as Iran struck its neighbours and said the bases could be used for strikes to defend other Middle Eastern countries.

The Guardian

US air force bombers and transport planes then landed at Fairford at the end of last week and over the weekend before onward deployment.

RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was attacked by an Iranian-made drone that military officials believe was launched by the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, damaging a hangar used for US U-2 spy planes.

The pilot who shot down Iranian Shahed drones aimed for Qatar is based at Akrotiri, and the UK is sending 400 more air defence personnel to its Cyprus bases.

HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, is expected to leave the UK bound for the Middle East early this week.

The Royal Navy has shortened the readiness time for the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales from 10 days to five, although the carrier would still need escorts.

HMS Dragon is described as able to defend against medium-range ballistic missiles and drone attacks.

The ship can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds, guide up to 16, and houses a Merlin helicopter.

Matthew Savill of the Royal United Services Institute said the UK may be sharing radar and other intelligence with the US.

He also said Britain’s maritime presence in the Middle East is far smaller than in previous decades.

Cypriot officials and activists voiced criticism and concern over the UK’s actions and the pace of defence on the island.

Kyriacos Kouros said people in Cyprus were "scared and disappointed".

Protesters demonstrated against the UK bases.