LONDON: United Kingdom has deployed the warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East as part of preparations for a potential multinational mission aimed at protecting shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British government.
The move comes as Britain and France continue discussions on a joint security plan intended to restore confidence in the strategically important waterway following weeks of instability linked to the Iran conflict.
HMS Dragon, an air defence destroyer, had initially been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in March after the outbreak of the war to help defend Cyprus.
According to Reuters, the vessel’s repositioning follows France’s decision to deploy its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea as part of wider regional security coordination.
“The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the Strait, when conditions allow,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Ministry of Defence said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy trade routes, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments.
Britain and France are reportedly working on a proposal to establish safe transit through the strait once regional tensions ease. The initiative would require coordination with Iran, while around a dozen countries have expressed willingness to participate in the mission.
