The UK's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier has been placed on advanced readiness to sail from Portsmouth, according to the BBC.
The crew has been told to be ready to leave in five days, defence sources said. This development may lead to speculation about a potential deployment to the Mediterranean to defend British interests.
Previously, the ship's notice to sail was 14 days. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the change in status for the carrier.
Defence Preparations
Defence sources stated that 400 additional UK personnel have been sent to support air defence activities across the UK's bases in Cyprus over the past weeks.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denied that the UK was not prepared for the conflict, saying Britain had begun pre-deploying assets to the region earlier this year, particularly to Qatar and Cyprus, alongside the US and other allies.
US Military Presence
More US B-1 Lancer bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The first B-1 arrived on Friday evening, followed by three more jets and a C-5 airlifter on Saturday.
The MoD also confirmed that the US had started using British bases for specific defensive operations.
Protests and Reactions
Dozens of anti-war protesters gathered outside RAF Fairford, while thousands of protesters marched in London, calling for an end to attacks on Iran.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism for his approach to the crisis, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch saying he was too scared to make foreign interventions.
