Royal Marines preparing to lead 'Dunkirk
Royal Marines are poised to lead a 'Dunkirk-style' evacuation of thousands of UK nationals from the Middle East should Iran launch a missile strike on Israel.
Commandos have already conducted reconnaissance along the Lebanese coastline ahead of a potential maritime rescue mission.
Tonight, speaking exclusively to the Mail, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed he 'stands ready' to assist any Britons trapped in the region.
The Foreign Office has already advised all UK citizens to leave Lebanon.
Tonight US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there remained a 'serious threat' of attack while it was reported that Iran had sent a message to Washington warning them against the involvement of US troops in the region.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on a visit to Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, to tour the base and meet troops
The evacuation plans, codenamed Operation Meteoric, will be spearheaded by the UK's 'Green Berets' and supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
The Mail has been told a party of Marines from 30 Commando arrived in the region in recent days.
Operation Meteoric has been likened to Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940 when they were surrounded by German forces.
Israel and its allies remain braced for a huge Iranian response to the attack on its Syrian consulate earlier this month, which left 13 dead, including a senior Iranian commander.
While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the blast it is widely considered to have been behind it.
Iran's response may also involve the heavily armed military group Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon.
Tonight, intelligence reports suggested the retaliation could include more than 100 drones, dozens of cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
Such a scenario would likely lead to civilian 'air bridges' shutting down – hence the need for a maritime solution.
Defence Minister Grant Shapps confirmed he 'stands ready' to assist any Britons trapped in the region
Commandos have already conducted reconnaissance along the Lebanese coastline ahead of a potential maritime rescue mission
The Royal Navy's new minehunting 'mothership', RFA Stirling Castle, which has recently arrived at its new home on the Clyde
The Mail has been told how the preparatory work behind Operation Meteoric was conducted by the Royal Marines' Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS).
They studied stretches of the Lebanese coastline and selected potential locations for such a rescue mission.
Stranded civilians would be ferried from beaches in raiding craft to Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships in the eastern Mediterranean.
While it is understood Iran is eager to avoid direct engagement with UK forces, RAF Typhoon jets based in Cyprus could provide 'top cover'.
Tonight Mr Shapps told the Mail: 'UK nationals in the region will be concerned by what Iran is threatening to do. So we stand ready to assist them.
'There are plans, but they cannot be discussed for security reasons.'
Tonight the IDF confirmed around 40 rockets had been fired into northern Israel by Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.
Related articles
China sanctions former US lawmaker who supported Taiwan
BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday sanctioned Mike Gallagher, a former Republican member of Congress fr2024-05-22EDITORIAL: Food labeling review inevitable following Benikoji scare
The issue of food safety is again in the news following reports that people died after ingesting a d2024-05-22Alexei Navalny death: Team accuses Russia of 'hiding' his body
By James Gregory of BBCAlexei Navalny. Photo: EyePress via AFP2024-05-22Hope new research will help get answers for those with rare disorders
A standard human genome has nearly three billion DNA letters in it. Photo: supplied2024-05-22What to stream: Lenny Kravitz, South Park, 'Dune: Part 2'
“Dune: Part 2,” Jennifer Lopez in the sci-fi action pic “Atlas” and a “South Park” episode skewering2024-05-22Woman charged with murder after man found dead in Hamilton
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-05-22
atest comment