LONDON

The UK "successfully" downed more than 10 Iranian drones overnight as there are now approximately 1,000 British military personnel deployed across the Middle East, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

In its daily update on UK military activity in the Middle East amid the US-Iran war, the ministry said the drones were destroyed by RAF Regiment gunners "operating in a high-threat area."

"As the Defence Secretary (John Healey) confirmed yesterday, there are now approximately 1,000 British military personnel deployed across the Middle East, defending UK interests, people, and partners," it noted.

The ministry added that UK Typhoons and F-35 jets, together with Wildcat helicopters, have continued their "defensive missions" overnight, including over Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and the island of Cyprus.

The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.