UK Warship HMS Dragon Sails to Cyprus Next Week Amid Escalating Mideast War

• HMS Dragon, a Type 45 defense destroyer, will depart for Cyprus next week to support Britain's "defensive operations" in the region.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment, including two Wildcat helicopters with counter-drone capabilities, following drone attacks on UK allies and the Akrotiri base.
• The deployment was delayed as the destroyer required resupply of ammunition and weapon system changes, drawing criticism from opposition lawmakers for slow response.
• Starmer initially refused US use of UK air bases for strikes on Iran but later allowed limited use of two bases for defensive purposes, with US bombers expected soon.
• The drone attack on Akrotiri, which caused minor damage, was reportedly launched from Lebanon, likely by Hezbollah, not Iran.