Navy readying aircraft carrier for deployment as Iran conflict deepens

One of the UK's two aircraft carriers has been placed on advanced readiness to sail from Portsmouth, the BBC understands.

The crew of HMS Prince of Wales have been told they must be ready to leave in five days, defence sources said.

This may raise speculation the carrier could be deployed to the Mediterranean to help defend British interests threatened during the conflict in the Middle East.

Before this, the ship's "notice to sail" was 14 days.

Meanwhile, more US B-1 Lancer bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denied the UK was not prepared for the conflict, saying Britain had begun pre-deploying assets to the region earlier this year - particularly to Qatar and Cyprus - alongside the US and other allies.

Defence sources said 400 additional UK personnel had been sent over the past weeks to support air defence activities across the UK's bases in Cyprus.

A Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, has been deployed to the region but will not be ready to leave Portsmouth until next week.

HMS Prince of Wales is in Portsmouth receiving routine maintenance ahead of a planned deployment to the North Atlantic and Arctic later this year.

The carrier strike group was due to take part in Operation Firecrest alongside US, Canadian and European allies to deter Russian aggression in the High North.

A defence source told the BBC the Prince of Wales had had "her readiness increased to five days' notice to sail".

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the change in status for the carrier.

A ministry spokesperson said: "We have been bolstering our UK military presence in the Middle East since January, and we have already deployed capabilities to protect British people and our allies in the region, including Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defence systems and an extra 400 personnel into Cyprus.

"Since the strikes began, we've had British jets in the sky shooting down drones and have sent additional assets to the region to further reinforce our air defences, including more Typhoons and Wildcat helicopters with drone busting missiles.

"HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment."

The MoD also confirmed the US had started using British bases "for specific defensive operations".

The first B-1 arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening, followed by three more on Saturday.