The British destroyer HMS Dragon has left the Portsmouth naval base and is heading to the eastern Mediterranean to protect Cyprus.

The Type 45 destroyer is deploying to the region to help protect Royal Air Force bases on the island and prevent potential new drone or missile attacks from Iran and its proxies.

Earlier, British Defense Secretary John Healey told members of parliament that the warship would depart from Portsmouth "within the next few days."

Additionally, reports indicate that the landing ship RFA Lyme Bay is also being prepared for potential deployment to the region.