The Royal Marines are reportedly ready to lead a daring evacuation mission for any Brits living in the Middle East.
The mission plan drew comparisons to the heroic Dunkirk rescue during World War 2, where almost 340,000 troops were evacuated when pushed back by the Germans. British troops have already carried out initial recon missions along the Lebanese border to form a plan in advance of any escalation.
RAF jets were already being used to shoot down Iranian drones on Saturday night, after Tehran announced it had launched an attack on Israel in what threatens to become a major regional escalation.
RAF aircraft in Iraq and Syria were deployed to intercept "any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions," the Ministry of Defence said.
Streets were empty in Tel Aviv, Israel, ahead of the incoming Iranian drone strike (Anadolu via Getty Images)Defence Secretary Grant Shapps previously confirmed that the Royal Marines were ready and waiting to help any British citizens living in the Middle East.
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He confirmed the Government "stands ready" to assist any Brits trapped in the region, according to the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, officials in Jerusalem said the drones, which Iraqi security sources said were seen flying over the country, would take hours to reach their targets.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned "in the strongest terms" Iran's "reckless attack" as he pledged to "continue to stand up for Israel's security and that of all our regional partners."
Iran has a large war chest (Iranian Army Office/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)Reports in Israel suggested RAF and US warplanes had shot down some Israel-bound Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area.
It brings the two archenemies to the brink of all-out conflict as the war in Gaza inflames decade-old tensions in the Middle East, with the US vowing to back Israel.
In a late-night statement on Saturday, the MoD said: "In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.
"We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the UK's existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria.
"In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required."
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