British military on standby to deploy to Gulf 'within 48 hours'

'Urgent measures' taken to protect UK interests amid rising tensions with Iran, MPs told

British warships, helicopters and several hundred military personnel have been put on standby of 48 hours or less for deployment in or near Iraq, to respond if there is a further military escalation of the Iran crisis.

The backup forces - including a handful of twin-engine Chinook helicopters - could be used to evacuate British troops if the security situation in Iraq dramatically worsens in the aftermath of the US assassination of Gen Qassem Suleimani.