Britain poised to launch major rescue operation as thousands remain stranded in Middle East

More than 170,000 people in the Middle East have registered their presence with the UK Government, with more than 37,000 British nationals already being evacuated since the start of the conflict through charter flights.

HMS Dragon is now being readied for deployment to defend the British base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, while the newly prepared landing ship is poised for "maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean".

However, Courts Minister Sarah Sackman KC today played down suggestions that one of the Royal Navy's two aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales, would be sent to the region this morning.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "As part of prudent planning, we have taken the decision to bring RFA Lyme Bay to heightened readiness as a precaution, should she be needed to assist in maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean".

The vessel has aviation and medical facilities on board, allowing it to be used in support of humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

Defence Secretary John Healey yesterday told MPs HMS Dragon would sail from Portsmouth "in the next couple of days".

It remains unclear how long the conflict will continue, with further strikes reported in Tehran.

However, US President Donald Trump claimed the American-Israeli operation was “very complete”.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said America had “only just begun to fight”.

The US President appeared to tone down his language in a subsequent update, instead admitting the conflict is not over.

Mr Trump went on to threaten Tehran that "death, fire, and fury will reign".

Iran has also continued to launch strikes at Israel and the Gulf states.

A chartered plane brought Britons back from Dubai in the UAE in the early hours today, while previous charter flights rescued British nationals from Oman.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch hit back at suggestions she should apologise for claiming British forces are “just hanging around” in the Middle East.

Asked if she felt she needed to apologise for the remarks made over the weekend, the Conservative leader said: “I was criticising the Government, that they’re not doing enough, and they are the ones hanging around.

“HMS Dragon is still in Portsmouth well over a week after it should have left. France has sent about 10 ships to the Mediterranean. The French president is in Cyprus.

“We are the ones who have a base in Cyprus. What is our Prime Minister doing?"

Since the conflict began, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his response to developments would always put the interests of the British people first.

The Prime Minister continues to speak out against the Iranian regime and consistently emphasises that the primary objective of British efforts is to repatriate stranded citizens scattered across the region.