Iran retaliation fears heighten as military bases on 'highest level' red alert
The UK is on its highest alert for drone strikes after the US bombed Iran in a surprise attack
After the US airstrikes on Iran, British forces stationed across the Middle East have been ordered into a heightened state of readiness against potential drone strikes, Defence Secretary John Healey disclosed.
Defence Secretary Healey has confirmed that safety measures for UK Armed Forces are at an "highest level" due to rising fears that the American strikes may spark a larger-scale conflict, with details emerging in The Telegraph.
Following Sunday's early dawn strikes, there's been a notable beefing up of security protocols at British installations in the Middle East, with personnel bracing themselves for a slew of attacks ranging from drones to traditional rocket and missile strikes.
This surge in vigilance pairs with mounting anxiety over the security of UK bases both within the nation's borders and internationally.
Just this Saturday, a British individual was detained in Cyprus on allegations of espionage against an RAF facility on behalf of Iran. This incident trails hot on the heels of a breach at RAF Brize Norton, where two pro-Palestinian individuals infiltrated and damaged aircraft, as detailed by the Express.
Healey, writing in his Sunday column for the paper, declared: "The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level, and we deployed additional jets this week." Top officials in defence circles are on high alert over the potential use of drones. They're wary following an attack where Ukrainian drones decimated 40 Russian aircrafts, which included units capable of bearing nuclear weaponry.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen Russia utilize Iranian-made Shahed drones, resulting in widespread power disruptions and substantial infrastructure damage.
The Shahed-136 drone, originally designed for building demolition, now carries an explosive payload capable of delivering deadly fragmentation or thermobaric blasts. Recently, Iran has used these drones against targets in Israel.
Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that more RAF jets would be sent to the region to bolster security. British bases in the Middle East include RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which currently hosts 14 RAF jets, as well as naval stations in Bahrain and Oman and shared airbases in Qatar and the UAE.
Potential additional security measures might include ramping up armed guards, distributing live ammunition, and deploying more radar systems.
The US conducted its strikes on Iran independently, and so far, Iran's retaliation threats have been exclusively aimed at America.
While it is understood that British bases are not currently bracing for any immediate, targeted attack, the heightened alert level reflects the wide array of threats - from rockets to improvised explosive devices - that UK forces could potentially encounter.
