UK considering sending Type 45 warship HMS Duncan to the Middle East

The UK government is reportedly weighing up the option to dispatch the Type 45 missile destroyer HMS Duncan to the Middle East.

The escalation in the conflict in the region continues on its third day after joint US-Israel airstrikes over the weekend, and Iran’s retaliation targeting its neighbours and American interests.

US allies are struggling to avoid being drawn into the conflict, which has put global security, trade and travel at risk.

Now the British government is believed to be considering sending the Royal Navy’s HMS Duncan into the region, according to the Press Association.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump are at loggerheads over UK’s initial decision to block the US from using the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean in the first strikes against Iran.

Sir Keir did finally give permission yesterday so that the US military could use British bases.

But the response drew criticism from Trump, who said he was ‘very disappointed’ over the initial refusal.

Yesterday, a sovereign British air base, the RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, was hit by drones.

France said it is planning to send air defence systems to the Mediterranean island after the incident.

Sir Keir said the drone attack was not in retaliation to his decision to permit US military presence on Chagos Islands.

Metro has contacted the Ministry of Defence for a comment.

Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.