The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East, according to The Telegraph.
The Royal Navy is increasing the readiness of the warship, HMS Prince of Wales, so that it is prepared for deployment within five days.
The Ministry of Defense stressed that the aircraft carrier is already on a "very high readiness" of 10 days, which is now being reduced to five days.
This means that the crew has been notified and various preparations will be accelerated to ensure HMS Prince of Wales is ready, should ministers decide that additional naval forces are required.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced criticism for his refusal to join US-Israeli attacks on Tehran and for initially not allowing the US to use British bases to bomb the regime.
Previously, Iran launched attacks on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia after Tehran was hit by Israeli warplanes.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the US president, warned Iran that it would be hit "very hard". /Telegraph/
