HMS Dragon Deploys to Cyprus, UK Boosts Defenses

0:00On March 4th, a British warship, HMS Dragon is set to sail next week to safeguard the U.K. military base in Cyprus after a drone hit the runway at RAF. Acquatery. Officials call the damage minimal, and they say the Shaheed Taidron did not come from Iran. The Taid 45 destroyer just finished maintenance in Portsmouth, and is now loading ammunition for its new mission in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone missiles will arrive in Cyprus much sooner within days. The U.K. has also ramped up defenses with more F-35s at Cyprus bases, typhoons in Qatar, extra radar, and ground teams. British jets have been shooting down drones in Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar lately, while experts head to the region to advise allies on air protection. Critics, including a former Royal Navy commander, say sending the ship is smart, but overdue by about 10 days, given rising threats from groups like Hezbollah.

1:01Government ministers stress they're moving as fast as possible without sharing operational details. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voiced outrage over the attack to Cyprus' president, and has kept the U.K. focused on defense amid tensions with Iran. U.S. side, Britain-OK'd use of bases like ARIA Fairford and Diego Garcia for defensive strikes on Iranian sites, though no American bombers have. Flown from there yet, officials expect that the change soon. Trump criticized Starmer for not going further, calling it a weak stance. Back home, over 130,000 Britons registered for help, leaving the Middle East, with a chartered flight set to Depart, Muscatad, 11 p.m. local time tonight. The U.K. also summon Iran's ambassador as reinforcements keep flowing to protect troops and citizens in the volatile area.