The British warship HMS Dragon left for the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday. This was more than a month after the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran.

The British government was criticized for not sending a warship sooner. Military vessels from Greece and France arrived within days after Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.

A drone believed to be Iranian was reportedly launched from Lebanon or Iraq and hit RAF Akrotiri on March 1.

It took days to prepare the destroyer for its journey. This adds to the scrutiny surrounding 'Britain’s military readiness.

The government has defended their response by saying that they had already deployed other assets in the region, including radar systems and F-35s.

According to the Royal Navy website, HMS Dragon is an air-defence type 45 destroyer with the Sea Viper system and advanced radar to track?and neutralise aerial threats.

Trump has criticised Britain for its support, but the government has defended their close collaboration with the United States during preparation and response to a 'conflict.

Trump has criticized Prime Minister Keir starmer for limiting Britain’s military support?for the attacks on Iran. This has plunged the relationship?between the historically-close military allies?into crisis.

Starmer allowed the U.S. military to use British bases for defensive actions, but he has said that he wouldn't approve UK involvement in offensive action unless it was clear and legal. (Reporting and editing by William James)

(source: Reuters)