The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East, it has been confirmed. It comes after Donald Trump warned Iran that no deal to end the conflict will be made until the country's "unconditional surrender".
HMS Prince of Wales, which is based in Portsmouth, has had its 10-day notice to move slashed in half to five days. The acceleration of readiness means the aircraft carrier will be able to respond quickly if asked to mobilise. According to the Royal Navy, the giant vessel is one of the most powerful surface warships ever made in the UK. Carrying up to 1,600 crew, she is able to embark 36 F-35 fighter jets and four Merlin helicopters, as well as move 500 miles every day. Crews have also reportedly been alerted about potential deployment as the war in Iran rages on.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "We have been bolstering our UK military presence in the Middle East since January, and we have already deployed capabilities to protect British people and our allies in the region, including Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defence systems and an extra 400 personnel into Cyprus.
"Since the strikes began, we’ve had British jets in the sky shooting down drowns and have sent additional assets to the region to further reinforce our air defences, including more Typhoons and Wildcat helicopters with drone busting missiles.
"HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment."
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US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday (March 6): "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!
"After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."
The conflict, which began when the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran, has spread across the Middle East. Strikes across the Gulf have since been ignited, as well as a war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Iran has responded by launching drones and missiles at US and Israeli targets. They have also targeted civilian infrastructure across the wider region.
Iranian officials have stressed they are ready for a long conflict, with President Masoud Pezeshkian labelling Trump's demand for "unconditional surrender" as a "dream that they should take to their grave". He also apologised for strikes on neighbouring countries.
He said: "I should apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf. From now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy."
