BRITS trapped in the Middle East could be removed from the beaches in a “Dunkirk-style” evacuation.
The Royal Marines have earmarked potential sites should Iran launch a major attack on Israel.
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Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said he “stands ready” to help stranded Britons.
It comes as Iranian special forces raised tensions by hijacking an Israeli container ship today.
The Marine Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron studied the Lebanese coast for suitable locations for a boat-led rescue, it is said.
Royal Fleet auxiliary boats in the area providing humanitarian aid could be tied up.
Sources said the evacuation would only begin after the Foreign Ministry had urged civilians to board commercial flights out of Israel and government charter flights had ceased.
Boats or airlifts could then transport any remaining British citizens away from danger as part of Operation Meteoric.
Several airlines announced yesterday that they were suspending flights over Iran and Israel amid security fears.
The Foreign Office has already advised Britons to flee Lebanon following a drone attack in northern Israel by Hamas and Iran’s ally Hezbollah.
Guidance on Israel is being monitored with authorities ready to declare a “do not travel” alert if the situation worsens.
Meanwhile, Mediterranean Shipping Company confirmed that its ship, MSC Aries, was seized in the Strait of Hormuz.
The 1,200-foot ship, sailing under a Portuguese flag and with a 25-man Filipino crew, was attacked by armed Iranian special forces from a helicopter.
It is believed to have been targeted because MSC is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said Iran “will bear the consequences” if it takes further action.
He said: “Iran funds, trains and arms terrorist proxies across the Middle East and beyond.
“Your terrorist network not only threatens the people of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria; the Iranian regime is fueling war in Ukraine and elsewhere.”
Israel is still prepared for Iran to respond to an attack on its embassy in Syria that killed 13 people.
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TENS of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched in London yesterday to call for a ceasefire and urge the UK government to halt all arms sales to Israel.
‘Full alert’ for attack
ISRAELI forces are on “full alert” for an Iranian attack, senior executives have warned.
Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said dozens of fighter planes were in the air.
He told a TV news conference: “Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation.
“We have increased our readiness to protect Israel from further Iranian aggression. We are also prepared to respond.”
Fears are growing that Iran will retaliate after an airstrike killed top commanders two weeks ago.
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