UK’s HMS Dragon pressured to dock within the Mediterranean after being despatched to guard Britain’s air bases in Cyprus | EUROtoday

HMS Dragon, which has been despatched to guard Britain’s air bases in Cyprus amid the Iran conflict, has docked within the Mediterranean after struggling technical points.

The Royal Navy type-45 destroyer will nonetheless be capable to sail at quick discover “if required”, the Ministry of Defence stated.

“HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems and conduct maintenance,” an MoJ spokesperson stated.

“HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.

“The UK continues to maintain a robust and layered defensive presence in the eastern Mediterranean, working in coordination with allies.

“This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems.”

On Tuesday, the UK urged Donald Trump to step again from his menace to wipe out “a whole civilisation” as his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz drew nearer.

The US president has given Tehran till 1am on Wednesday UK time to finish its blockade of the strait or face obliteration.

Downing Street once more stated the UK’s focus was on “de-escalation” and a “negotiated settlement” for the area, however Mr Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric and the US-Israeli bombing marketing campaign continued.

Writing on his Truth Social platform he stated: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.

“I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

But Mr Trump, who has beforehand prolonged his deadline for motion, stated the “complete and total regime change” in Iran had resulted in a state of affairs the place “different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail”.

He stated: “Maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”

Mr Trump has stated the US will destroy Iran’s bridges and energy stations, saying he was “not at all” involved that assaults on civilian infrastructure might represent a conflict crime.

Asked whether or not the UK believed such assaults would breach worldwide regulation, the prime minister’s official spokesperson stated: “I’m not going to comment on [giving] a running commentary on our allies’ operations.”

The UK has granted permission for the US to make use of British army bases to hold out restricted defensive operations, solely concentrating on Iran’s missile websites and amenities getting used to focus on delivery within the Strait of Hormuz, an important oil and gasoline route.

Asked whether or not RAF bases could possibly be utilized by the US to focus on Iran’s civilian infrastructure, the spokesman stated: “Our position has not changed.”

The spokesperson stated Sir Keir Starmer had been clear “this isn’t our war” and “our position is very much focused on de-escalation”.