Iran

British RAF fighters have been deployed to Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks in Yemen.

RAF deployed to defend Saudi Arabia amid 'outrageous' Houthi attacks

HMS Dragon returns home to Portsmouth on Friday, October 9, 2026, after leaving for an emergency deployment on March 10, 2026, due to the ongoing Iran war.

'Monumental effort': HMS Dragon sailors look back on 'rushed' Iran op

Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is heading back home to Portsmouth after recently being seen in Gibraltar.

HMS Dragon to sail to base full of proud families - when, times

The naval base at Faslane on the Clyde hosts the UK's nuclear submarines which are armed with Trident missiles (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

No punishment for Iranian man who tried to get into Royal Navy base

The UK could be pressured to replace HMS Dragon in the Middle East given the ‘messy situation’ in the Red Sea, academics have said.

'Messy': UK faces pressure to replace HMS Dragon amid Houthi advances

HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth alongside HMNB Portsmouth.

Strange aircraft flown over Royal Navy aircraft carriers

Commander Giffin hands over the role of Commanding Officer to Commander Hazelwood in Mombasa, Kenya.

New Commanding Officer for HMS Dragon amid Iran uncertainty

The retirement dates have been set for Hunt-class Royal Navy mine-hunters. This includes HMS Ledbury, Cattistock, Brocklesby, Middleton, and Hurworth.

Retirement dates set for five Royal Navy ships amid 'phasing out' plan

HMS Bangor is back at sea again after spending two and a half years on the side-lines. She was severely damaged in a crash involving HMS Chiddingfold.

Royal Navy ship returns years after devastating crash

Munitions near a B1 Bomber are seen at RAF Fairford on July 24, 2026 in Fairford, England. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire a "legitimate target" after U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers used the British base to launch defensive bombing missions against Iranian military targets.

Britain 'ready to defend itself' after Iran names RAF base as target

England at the World Cup - in Portsmouth pubs

Agony and ecstasy: Previous years' World Cup games in Portsmouth pubs

RFA Lyme Bay (centre), and HMS Dragon (right), linked up in the Middle East ahead of a possible Strait of Hormuz mission.

'Enormously keen' RFA Lyme Bay arrives in Middle East ahead of op

HMS Middleton sailing under the Skye bridge on her first set of operations around the UK after returning from the Middle East.

'Extensive revamp' for HMS Middleton after finishing 'useful training'

View of RFA Lyme Bay at sea in the Mediterranean. The Bay-class ship has arrived in Cyprus while crews have been undertaking intense training drills.

RFA Lyme Bay arrives in Cyprus ahead of possible Iran mission

Hampshire County Council HQ. Image: LDRS

Increase in older teenage children in care across Hampshire, new report shows

HMS Dragon has joined forces with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle ahead of a potential Iran operation.

'Proud' HMS Dragon joins forces with huge carrier Charles de Gaulle
The British destroyer is preparing for a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz - which has seen closures caused by Iran
Freddie Webb

RNMB Ariadne about to embark on RFA Lyme Bay via the docking bay. Both capabilities are being prepared by the Royal Navy ahead of a potential multinational operation to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

Drone minehunter loaded onto Middle East bound naval ship

HMS Dragon has passed through the Suez Canal as the Royal Navy air defence destroyer heads to the Middle East.

HMS Dragon passes through Suez Canal amid US threats against Iran

Image of a RAF Typhoon aircraft, seen here firing the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). It has been deployed to the Middle East as a cheaper measure to shoot down drones.

Precision missiles fitted to jets to shoot drones in Middle East

Royal Marines from the Air Defence Troop are tasked with protecting Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, replacing the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon.

Royal Marines to defend Cyprus from 'threats' replacing HMS Dragon

HMS Dragon will be bolstered by cutting edge mine-hunting tech and drone ships.

Iran: 'Cutting-edge' mine-hunting tech to deploy with HMS Dragon

HMS Dragon, Portsmouth-based Royal Navy destroyer, will be part of a multinational force aimed at protecting the freedom of navigation once the Strait of Hormuz reopens. It's expected to be a difficult task due to hostilities from Iran, academics said.

Uncertain Iran 'threat' as HMS Dragon op aims to solve 'catastrophe'

Plans are being formulated by European nations for how to keep the Strait of Hormuz opens once the Iran war ends, with HMS Dragon being a part of it.

'Practical military plans' drawn up for HMS Dragon Iran deployment

Iran has warned that HMS Dragon's deployment to the Middle East is "escalation" and any actions will be met with an immediate response. The Portsmouth-based Royal Navy warship was previously operating in the eastern Mediterranean.

HMS Dragon 'escalation' to be met with 'immediate' action, Iran warns

Shoe Zone has blamed the Iran war and other factors for recently published losses. Pictured: The former outlet in Waterlooville which closed in 2023.

Struggling high street chain Shoe Zone blames losses on Iran war

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon is currently deployed in the eastern Mediterranean to defend Cyprus. Shye's not currently expected to be sent to the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Dragon to be sent to the Middle East to safeguard Strait of Hormuz

Dramatic scenes show UK warship HMS Dragon practising being attacked at sea. The air defence destroyer is seen pulling off swerving manoeuvres as it simulates avoiding incoming missiles. Other scenes show the crew rapidly putting on protective gear as they rehearse drills for attacks by ballistic missiles. HMS Dragon is operating in the eastern Mediterranean as part of a mission to conduct air defence operations to sovereign British territory, particularly RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

HMS Dragon practises coming under attack from ballistic missiles
Portsmouth-based HMS Dragon has practised evasive manoeuvres in the Mediterranean
Tom Morton

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is a small team which answers ‘999 calls’ from ships in the Red Sea/Gulf/Indian Ocean under attack from Houthi rebels, pirates and terrorists, as well as deals with fires and sinkings.
Calls to the centre have risen by 4 times since October.

Hormuz stand-off reduced traffic to a trickle says Royal Navy team

Brittany Ferries said it will not raise prices Pictured: Brittany Ferries' newest vessel, the LNG-powered Saint Malo, sailing into Portsmouth International Port for sea trials - travelling past HMS Prince of Wales.

Brittany Ferries to freeze prices amid Iran war despite oil costs

Hours of aerial patrols have been completed by Royal Navy 815 Naval Air Squadron Wildcat HMA Mk2 (HMA2) helicopters, armed with Martlet lightweight multirole missiles.

'Complex airspace' secured as hours of patrols conducted amid Iran war

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leaves after a multinational coalition summit to facilitate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the US-Iran war ends, at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France.

UK and France to lead Strait of Hormuz 'peaceful defensive' mission

Defence minister Luke Pollard has slammed "armchair generals" criticising the British armed forces.

MP slams 'armchair generals' defending 'undernourished' Royal Navy

Armed forces minister Al Carns speaking to parliament.

UK urged to 'meet and resist' Putin's spy submarines

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for the US to "find a way through" after peace talks with Iran fail.

Peace talks with Iran fail - Starmer calls for US to "find a way"

Layers of extra defence have been added to RAF Akrotiri after the British base on Cyprus was struck by a drone at the start of the Iran war. Pictured: 10th of March 2025 F-35B aircraft from 617 Squadron at British Forces Cyprus (BFC).

'Added layers' bolstering RAF Akrotiri base after drone attack

Defence minister Luke Pollard has defended the state of the Royal Navy after US President Donald Trump made several insulting remarks about the force and the carriers.

'We've got a strong Royal Navy': MP takes aim at Trump after insults

The Marinetraffic website shows oil tankers and other vessels are not risking the journey through the Strait of Hormuz because of the threat from Iran (Picture: Julien de Rosa)

Royal Navy 'has sent autonomous minehunters to Strait of Hormuz'

The new Lidl in Purbrook Way, Havant, which opened on February 19

Areas in and around Portsmouth being targeted by Lidl for new stores

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP and chair of the defence select committee, said it's "embarrassing" that the Royal Navy could not deploy a warship quickly in response to the war in Iran.

MP slams Royal Navy's 'inability to deploy a single ship swiftly'

Technical issues have been reported on HMS Dragon while deployed to the eastern Mediterranean.

Technical issues reported on HMS Dragon amid Iran tensions

The Royal Navy has been handed a new autonomous mine-hunting ship amid talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, currently being blockaded by Iran.

'World class' mine-hunting ship handed to Royal Navy

Fake social media circulate of HMS Dragon being struck by missiles

Demonstrators during an anti-war blockade outside RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Picture date: Saturday April 4, 2026.

Southsea man arrested at Iran war protest at RAF base in Suffolk

The MoD has set its retirement dates for HMS Dragon and other Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers.

Retirement date set for HMS Dragon and other Royal Navy destroyers

Royal Navy ships not expected to police Strait of Hormuz

'Your aircraft carriers don't work': Trump insults UK again over Iran

Iran is considering whether UK bases are ‘legitimate targets’ for Iranian ballistic missile strikes. Pictured: Royal Navy 815 Naval Air Squadron Wildcat HMA Mk2 (HMA2) helicopters, armed with Martlet lightweight multirole missiles, flying in a two-ship formation over British Forces Cyprus (BFC).

Iran 'considering' whether UK bases are 'legitimate targets'

US defence secretary has insulted the Royal Navy for not sending warships to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. HMS Dragon is currently in the eastern Mediterranean.

'Big bad Royal Navy' insulted by US for not securing Strait of Hormuz

The German frigate Sachsen (F219) will assume command of Nato's Standing Maritime Group 1, taking the place of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon. The Type 45 warship has reached Cyprus after being deployed to the eastern Mediterranean.

Defence Secretary 'not happy' with Royal Navy warship situation

Cut your MPG and save money at the pumps

How to save petrol: 10 expert tips to cut fuel costs now

HMS Dragon conducting Gunnery serials at sea using the ships 4.5 gun, 30mm (pictured) and phalanx weaponry as part of Fleet Operational Standards and training exercises.

Watch: HMS Dragon fires guns at targets amid Middle East strikes

HMS dragon en-route to Cyprus. Pictured: 18 Mar 2026 - HMS Dragon (right) conducting a Replenishment at Sea with RFA Tideforce whilst undergoing Fleet Operational Standards and Training.

'Busy three weeks' for HMS Dragon as she arrives in Cyprus - pictures

HMS Dragon’s deployment from HMNB Portsmouth to Cyprus was heavily impacted by changes to an afloat services contract, the Prospect Union said. The Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer has now reached the eastern Mediterranean.

'Broken down' contracts stifled HMS Dragon Cyprus deployment

HMS Dragon sounds the horn as passes the Round Tower in Old Portsmouth.

HMS Dragon nears Cyprus less than two weeks after leaving Portsmouth

President Donald Trump has paused strikes on Iran, after previously claiming the US would target the country's energy plants. He later announced a pause in strikes, as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary issued a warning regarding possible fuel theft.

Fuel theft warning issued by police as Trump pauses Iran strikes