The UK is placing a naval support ship on "heightened readiness" to be sent to the eastern Mediterranean to support British nationals in the Middle East if needed, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. RFA Lyme Bay is equipped with an aviation platform and has medical facilities, meaning she can play a role in evacuations and medical treatment. The vessel is currently in Gibraltar and has not been tasked yet. The MoD stressed the change in status was precautionary. The UK is already sending the warship HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean, with Defence Secretary John Healey saying on Monday that it would leave Portsmouth in the next couple of days. During the war, which began on 28 February, a number of Gulf nations housing US facilities have been targeted with Iranian missiles and drones, prompting the government to arrange evacuation flights for UK citizens in the region.…