The Head of the Armed Forces has appeared to admit the British military was "ill-prepared" for the Iran war 48 hours before rockets were being launched across the Gulf.
Last Saturday, the United States and Israel launched "pre-emptive" military strikes on the Islamic Republic, after which Tehran retaliated by shooting off rockets across the region, including Bahrain, Israel, the UAE, Kuwait and Lebanon.
But the spiralling escalation has caused tensions between the US and the UK, when Sir Keir Starmer regularly reiterated Britain "played no role" in the initial strikes, while condemning Iran's response.
Once RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was targeted by an Iranian-made drone last Sunday, with another two drones headed for the airbase on Monday which were subsequently intercepted ,Britain said it would deploy a Type-45 Destroyer to defend the area.
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However, when it was revealed HMS Dragon would not reach the eastern Mediterranean island until next week, questions about the state of the UK's defence system were raised.
But this morning Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, said: "For several weeks now, we've been bolstering our presence and the forces in the Middle East, particularly at Cyprus.
"And doing that in consultation with our regional partners, we've added additional typhoons, F-35s, over 400 people to help protect and defend the airspace around Cyprus.
"And even as late as Wednesday, Thursday before the war started, Donald Trump was talking about a peaceful resolution when the war started on Saturday.
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"It became clear over the next 48 hours that Iran's response was going to be very much broader, wild and indiscriminate."
National Reporter Charlie Peters said the army boss's wording seems to imply the military did not expect a war to break out and admitted they were "ill-prepared" for the regional escalation.
But, earlier today, following seven days of relentless strikes, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to countries across the Gulf and issued a new policy.
The new directive, greenlit by the national leadership council, prohibits Iran from launching missiles on their neighbouring states unless an attack is launched their way from that nation.
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"I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked," he said in a pre-recorded statement.
"We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries," he added, demanding regional cooperation to "establish peace and calm".
Meanwhile, Donald Trump branded Iran the "loser of the Middle East" and vowed it will "be hit very hard" and could face "complete destruction" today.
In his latest post ot Truth Social, the US President said: "Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behaviour, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time."
Iran's Supreme Leader was confirmed dead last weekend after Ali Khamenei was killed in the first round of strikes on his compound from US-Israeli forces.
Israel targeted Tehran during the latest tirade of the Iranian capital overnight, in what was billed the "biggest bombing campaign" yet.
Earlier, Mr Trump seemed to throw out any diplomatic relations to conclude the war, saying: "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"
He further declared the US, alongside allies, plan to "work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction" and "Make Iran Great Again".
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