"Western officials have said they wouldn't rule anything out in their response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, saying that British troops are being held at very high readiness in the UK ready to respond if needed. While it is understood there are currently no immediate plans to increase the footprints in Cyprus with ground troops, they are always held on high alert in the UK in order to respond to a crisis."
"Cobra meetings are being held on a daily basis, it is understood, as officials warned that the UK Armed Forces are facing a difficult tactical and operational problem following Iran's reckless, haphazard and hugely escalatory response. They said the situation in the Middle East is developing almost every hour and could go on for some time, saying they are preparing to settle in and make sure they are ready to protect British interests in not just short term, but the medium term as well."
"In a briefing, western officials also refused to rule out participating in future strikes against Iranian ballistic missile launch sites."
Western officials have stated they are not ruling out any response options to the escalating Middle East conflict. British troops are maintained at high readiness in the UK, prepared to respond if needed, though no immediate plans exist to increase ground forces in Cyprus. Daily Cobra meetings are being held as officials assess the situation as a difficult tactical and operational challenge following Iran's escalatory response. The situation is described as developing hourly with potential for extended duration. Officials are preparing for both short-term and medium-term contingencies to protect British interests. Western officials also declined to exclude participation in future strikes against Iranian ballistic missile launch sites.
#middle-east-conflict #military-readiness #iran-escalation #british-defense-policy #western-military-response
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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