British troops in the Middle East have been put on “high alert” as tensions between the US and Iran reach boiling point.
The UK is preparing to send an aircraft carrier worth £3.5billion to the Red Sea this week as Houthi rebels pledged to continue to disrupt shipping supply chains.
However, troops in the region have been issued with a heightened warning in anticipation of potential counter-strikes from Iran.
The US is expected to respond to the killing of three American soldiers by Tehran-backed militants.
British forces have been put on high alert amid growing tensions in the Middle East
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But Iran vowed to “decisively” react to any attack on the Islamic Republic and denied responsibility for the triple killing.
Washington’s National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday the US believes the attack was planned, resourced and facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
The group includes militants from Kataib Hezbollah.
Kataib Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned militias launched 166 attacks on American military installations since October 18, the US has claimed.
The Royal Navy could send an aircraft carrier to the Middle EastGETTY
The US previously retaliated on October 27 by striking two weapons and ammunition storage sites.
However, soaring tensions between Tehran and Washington come as Israel’s war with Hamas continues to rage on.
The war began on October 7 when Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis and took another 250 hostage.
Retaliatory strikes from Israel have resulted in more than 26,000 Palestinians being killed and nearly two million others being displaced.
Israel launched retaliatory strikes against Gaza
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However, a heightened alert for British troops comes as the UK prepares to send an aircraft carrier to the region.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin previously urged MPs to use one of its £3.5billion aircraft carriers at the start of the Red Sea crisis in October.
However, the Chief of the Defence Staff was overruled as the Government instead decided to send RAF Typhoons based in Cyprus.
An official Navy source told The Daily Mail: "The carriers have proved they can operate on their own and with our US allies.
"What that would look like in terms of combining assets with the US will be being considered."