No casualties were reported and the base sustained "minimal damage", the Ministry of Defence said.

The prime minister says it remains the case that the UK will "not join offensive action now".

Officials are understood to be working on plans to evacuate British nationals, should airspace remain closed.

From Monday, asylum seekers granted refugee status in the UK will be offered only temporary protection.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman, from Sussex, were detained in Iran while travelling the world.