British military bases on 'highest level' red alert after Trump's suprise bombing of Iran

UK forces across the Middle East have been put on high alert for drone strikes in the wake of the US bombing of Iran.

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that UK Armed Forces protection is at its "highest level" as fears grow that the US action could spark a wider conflict, reports The Telegraph.

It is understood that British bases across the Middle East have boosted security measures since Sunday's early-hours strikes, with personnel braced for drone attacks as well as conventional rocket and missile strikes.

The heightened vigilance comes as concerns also grow over threats to UK bases at home and overseas.

On Saturday, a British man was arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on an RAF base on behalf of Iran. Just a day earlier, two pro-Palestinian protesters broke into RAF Brize Norton and vandalised two aircraft.

Writing on X on Sunday, Mr Healey said: "The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level, and we deployed additional jets this week."

Defence chiefs will be especially wary of drone threats after a swarm of Ukrainian drones damaged 40 Russian warplanes - including long-range nuclear-capable jets - at bases across Russia.

Russia has relied on Iranian-made Shahed drones to devastating effect in Ukraine, causing blackouts and heavy damage to power facilities.

The explosive payload of the Shahed-136 was originally designed to destroy buildings but can now also deliver charges to kill through fragmentation or thermobaric blasts. Iran has also sent these drones against targets in Israel in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that more RAF jets would be sent to the region to bolster security. British bases in the Middle East include RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where 14 RAF jets are now stationed, as well as naval hubs in Bahrain and Oman and shared airbases in Qatar and the UAE.

Extra security measures being considered may include boosting armed guards, issuing live ammunition and deploying more radar systems.

The US acted alone in its strikes on Iran, and so far Iran's threats of retaliation have been directed only at America.

It is understood that British bases are not yet preparing for any imminent, targeted attack, but the heightened alert reflects the broad range of threats - from rockets to improvised explosive devices - that UK forces could face.