THE Iran war was on the brink of further escalation yesterday after Tehran fired a ballistic missile at Nato member Turkey for the second time in five days.
It was shot down by air defences but raised fears of the multi-front conflict spreading even further — and posed concerns for the holiday plans of millions of Brits.
The launch, which left debris scattered in fields in the south of Turkey, came as Vladimir Putin ramped up tensions by speaking in support of Iran’s new Supreme Leader.
Meanwhile RAF Typhoons shot down several more drones over Jordan and the Persian Gulf after taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Al Udeid air base in Qatar.
However, France piled fresh humiliation on Sir Keir Starmer when President Emmanuel Macron announced he was sending more warships to the Gulf to protect oil tankers.
In all, France will deploy eight warships, an aircraft carrier group and two helicopter carriers to protect ships once Iran’s stranglehold on the economically-vital Strait of Hormuz has been loosened.
Mr Macron made his announcement during a joint press conference with Cyprus’ president and Greece’s prime minister on the island’s Paphos military airport.
He also went aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
He said: “We are in the process of setting up a purely defensive, purely escort mission, which must be prepared together with both European and non-European states.”
In contrast HMS Dragon, the lone Navy warship ordered to the area to protect our Cyrpus base, has still not left Portsmouth.
And Downing Street played down weekend reports that one of the UK’s two aircraft carriers could be sent to the region.
Sources had hinted HMS Prince of Wales had been placed on advanced readiness to sail.
But the PM’s spokesman said: “HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness. There is no decision taken to deploy her.”
In a rare boost for British troops on Cyprus, a Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 surveillance helicopter has now arrived on the island. The helicopter, from 820 Naval Air Squadron, has a powerful radar system which provides a defence against drones and missiles.
After the attack aimed at Turkey, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “I think we are all seeing right now the threat this clerical regime poses to the region and to the world. They are trying to hold the world hostage.”
Speaking as a US Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber — capable of carrying 70,000 lbs of munitions — landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, he added America was “well on our way” to destroying Iran’s missile capabilities.
The UAE rushed to condemn the attack on Turkey, saying: “These hostile acts represent a serious escalation.”
Nato spokeswoman Allison Hart confirmed: “Nato has again intercepted a missile heading to Turkey. Nato stands firm in its readiness to defend all Allies against any threat.”
t came as America ordered US citizens to leave “southeast Turkey” and also advised non-essential staff to leave its consulate near the southern Turkish city of Adana.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte moved to calm fears of an escalation following the first strike last Wednesday.
He said “Nobody’s talking about Article 5,” referring to the commitment that an attack on one NATO country is an attack on all.
Turkey is the fourth most popular foreign destination for UK holidaymakers with more than four million visiting each year.
Some have taken to social media to express fears about going ahead with their holidays.
One said: “From what I see online, I’m afraid to go.”
ABTA advised Brits to follow Foreign Office travel advice.
The FO website states: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” and adds: “If you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter.”
It encourages Brits to sign up for travel alerts.
The Turkish defence ministry said: “We once again emphasise that all necessary steps will be taken resolutely and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory and airspace.”
Iran denied targeting Turkey in the missile strike last Wednesday. There was no immediate comment from Tehran yesterday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran’s new leader and vowed he would stand by Tehran.
The tyrant said he wanted to “confirm unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends.”
Khamenei, 56, is said to have been injured in an air strike although state television gave no further details.
It may have occurred on day one of the war when his father, mother, wife, and one of his sisters were all killed in the very first attack.
Iran issued a chilling pledge of allegiance to him by writing a message on a missile reading: “At your service, Sayyid Mojtaba.”
It was unveiled on Iranian state TV just hours after he was named his slain father’s successor.
Sirens sounded across Israel yesterday as Iran launched one of the most intense bombardments to date.
One person was killed in central Israel and two others seriously injured when cluster bombs hit six sites across.
Other counties in the region were also on the brunt of Iran’s onslaught with 17 ballistic missiles and six drones being fired at Qatar, although all were intercepted.
At least 32 people were injured in Bahrain during a drone attack and two were hurt in Abu Dhabi from falling debris after missiles were intercepted.
The United Arab Emirates’ defence ministry said it detected 15 ballistic missiles and 18 drones.
RAF Typhoons shot down several more drones in pre-dawn sorties yesterday over Jordan and the Persian Gulf.
The fighter jets scrambled from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Al Udeid air base in Qatar as Iran launched hundreds of attacks across the middle east.
The jets, which launched on separate missions from RAF Akrotiri in Cypris and Al Udeid air base in Qatar, fired ASRAAM short range air to air missiles to blast the drones to bits.
The drone downed over the Gulf was heading towards Qatar, UK officials said. While the second shoot down was over Jordan.
It comes after several drones were downed by UK ground troops in Iraq and F-35B Lightning jets over Jordan.
Troops from the Royal Artillery also deployed in Saudi Arabia with HVM Stormer air defence launchers to defend the kingdom’s oil fields.
The Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon, an air defrence destroyer, is expected to set sail tomorrow (Wedneday) after sailors and contracts more than a week after Starmer ordered her to sea.
The warship was in dry dock when RAF Akrotiri, in Cypris, was hit by a drone on March 1, which forced the PM to act.
Queues at petrol stations have begun to form in countries around the world as drivers fear higher prices at the pump.
