Iran latest: UK confirms it is sending warship to Cyprus
The US and Israel are striking Iran for a fourth day after the American embassy in Saudi Arabia was hit by a drone. The UK is sending a warship to Cyprus after a strike on an RAF base. Follow the latest – and watch analyst Michael Clarke answer your questions.
Tuesday 3 March 2026 16:22, UK
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Key points
- What to know on fourth day of Iran war View post
- Israel launches new strikes on Beirut View post
- Key Iranian building destroyed in attack View post
- Trump renews attack on Starmer View post
- UK sending warship to region View post
- US embassy in Saudi Arabia hit by drone View post
- Watch: UAE oil port on fire View post
- Live reporting by Adam McGroarty and James Callery
In depth
Iran war, day four: What to know
We are updating this post as developments happen.
- The US and Israel are attacking Iran for a fourth day – and Tehran is continuing retaliatory strikes against Washington’s allies and US bases across the Gulf;
- Donald Trump says attacks will probably last four to five weeks, and secretary of state Marco Rubio has warned the “hardest hits are yet to come”;
- The US embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyadh was struck by drones overnight, resulting in a “limited” fire. Trump said “you’ll find out soon” how the US would retaliate;
- The conflict has expanded, with the Israeli military striking Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon for a second day and IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon;
- Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli leader, has vowed “quick and decisive action”, insisting he will seek “peace through strength”;
- Sir Keir Starmer has defended the UK government’s decision not to get involved in the US offensive, despite criticism from Trump, telling MPs he does not believe “in regime change from the skies”;
- But the UK is considering sending a major warship to Cyprus to help defend an RAF base on the island, Sky News understands;
- Limited flights restarted from the UAE last night, with thousands of Britons stranded in the region;
- Gas prices in the UK have soared to a three-year high and oil prices hit a 13-month high after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, last night.
Watch: What’s happening inside Iran?
Starmer confirms UK to send HMS Dragon to region
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Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK will bolster its defensive operations after speaking to the president of Cyprus.
He says the UK will send helicopters with counter drone capabilities and HMS Dragon to the region.
“We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies,” he adds.
Our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes reported earlier the UK was considering the deployment of a Type 45 air defence destroyer to Cyprus to help defend the RAF bases there.
The warship is a Type 45 destroyer – the only piece of equipment in the British arsenal with the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles.
