Following the French military’s deployment of its strike group near the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom has also announced the deployment of its warship in the Middle East.
The United Kingdom announced it is sending its air defense destroyer HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a multinational effort to ensure free navigation through the key oil trade route, which has been declared closed to commercial shipping by Iran.
Following the US-Israeli strikes and subsequent retaliation by the Islamic Republic, Britain deployed HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean in March to protect Cyprus from Iranian missiles and drones.
Its repositioning follows the similar move by France, which deployed its aircraft carrier to the southern Red Sea as European powers work together on a plan to open the Strait of Hormuz.
A Ministry of Defense spokesman said: “The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of careful planning that will ensure the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition led jointly by the UK and France, to secure the Straits when conditions allow.”
The development comes as the US seeks a response from Iran on its proposed peace plan.
Germany has also expressed readiness to send its minesweepers through the strait to clear it of mines; however, it set a condition for at least a cease-fire between the belligerents to proceed with the deployment of its naval assets.
