Mirror – A Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine is ready to strike Iran if tensions in the Middle East escalate to a full-scale combat, reports claim. The submarine, which is kept in the region at all times, is armed with 20ft-Tomahawk missiles which each carry a 1,000lb high-explosive warhead with enough power to destroy a building. The weapon has a range of more than 1,550 miles, travels at a speed of 550mph and has a GPS guidance system allowing it to switch targets mid-flight.
Armed force officials are working to ensure Britain is ready to back America militarily if asked, amid fears of an “accidental war” between Iran and the US, it is said. Elite operatives from the Special Air Service and the Special Boat Service were also said to be heading to Iraq, ready for rescue missions. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he had ordered HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to accompany British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to “take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens”. READ MORE
