The PM sent HMS Dragon and armed helicopters to Cyprus to protect UK personnel after a drone incident at RAF Akrotiri. The US president said he was no Churchill, claiming Britain was not backing his plans enough. The government will charter flights from Oman to assist Britons in the Gulf.

Trump said a larger phase of the US campaign against Iran is imminent, predicting further operations. Energy prices rose and markets wobbled on supply fears, underscoring wider regional risks.

Three US troops were killed as incidents escalated across the Middle East. With casualties across several states, flights were grounded and tourist evacuations planned. The US president signalled talks and claimed naval targets were destroyed, while the UK reviews its threat level.

Greens seized Labour’s once-safe Gorton and Denton in a by-election, electing a local plumber as MP. The result pushed Labour into third behind Reform, triggering calls for the PM to quit. Angela Rayner urged a wake-up call; Starmer vowed to continue and reject what he called divisive Green policies.