Why have Europe, Australia sent military assets to the Middle East?

"The UK's Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that it was sending the HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean along with two Wildcat helicopters to bolster drone defence for our Cypriot partners. One of the Royal Navy's six Type-45 air defence destroyers, the HMS Dragon is fitted with a Sea Viper missile system, which is able to launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously."

"On Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told a Downing Street news conference that the UK would send four more Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar to help with defence."

"French President Emmanuel Macron said France was sending an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the widening conflict. I have ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets, and its escort of frigates to set course for the Mediterranean, he said in a televised speech a day after he warned of the risk of the conflict spilling across Europe's borders."

Multiple countries are deploying military resources to the Middle East and Mediterranean in response to escalating tensions in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which began with Operation Epic Fury on February 28. The UK's RAF base in Cyprus was attacked by drones, prompting Britain to send HMS Dragon with Wildcat helicopters and four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar. France is deploying the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle with air assets and frigate escorts to the Mediterranean. Spain and Australia are also sending military assets, though specific details remain limited. The conflict continues to intensify across the region with ongoing attacks in Iran, Israel, and surrounding countries.

Read at www.aljazeera.com