Britain is preparing to evacuate tens of thousands of nationals from the Middle East after its primary rescue vessel reportedly departed Gibraltar on training exercises, with commanders keeping the ship ready for rapid deployment if the Iran war escalates.
RFA Lyme Bay — a 579ft Royal Fleet Auxiliary dock landing ship — has been identified as a potential lifeline for the 173,000 UK citizens who have logged their whereabouts with the Foreign Office across the region, state reports. Loaded with medical supplies during its time in Gibraltar last week, the vessel is also equipped to function as a hospital ship.
The Express understands, the MoD has stated Lyme Bay's role is separate from any effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Britain has so far stopped short of direct involvement.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman is ported to have said: "RFA Lyme Bay has sailed to undertake training and drills. As part of prudent planning, she is at heightened readiness as a precaution, should she be needed to assist in maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean."
According to the Sun, should Lyme Bay be called forward, it would operate alongside HMS Dragon, the Type 45 destroyer already stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean to shield RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus from hostile fire. Ministers are also said to be examining whether interceptor drones could be sent to strengthen the base's defences further.
British fast jets maintained their presence across the region through the night, covering multiple allied nations.
The MoD said: "Overnight Typhoon and F-35 jets, supported by Voyager air to air refuelling, have flown sorties in defence of British interests and allies across Qatar, Cyprus, UAE, Jordan and Bahrain."
The Express reported on Sunday how Britain risks losing its place as Washington's foremost partner after Donald Trump warned Nato could be finished and cast doubt on whether the UK deserved its status as America's "number one ally."
Addressing reporters, Trump pressed European nations to send military forces against what he described as "bad actors" along Iran's coastline and clear the way through the Strait of Hormuz — arguing the responsibility fell squarely on Europe and China, whose dependence on Gulf oil far outstrips that of the US.
"If there's no response or if it's a negative response I think it will be very bad for the future of Nato," he said.
Ukraine was next in Trump's sights, with the President making clear that American backing was a debt that now needed settling.
"We didn't have to help them with Ukraine. Ukraine is thousands of miles away from us... But we helped them. Now we'll see if they help us," he said.
