Britain has said it is deploying its warship HMS Dragon to West Asia in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.
Earlier, the warship had been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, soon after the outbreak of the Iran war, to support the defence of Cyprus.
Its move toward West Asia comes after France dispatched its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea, reflecting growing coordination between Britain and France on plans to restore confidence in one of the world’s most critical trade corridors.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the deployment of HMS Dragon forms part of careful planning to ensure the UK is prepared to participate in a multinational coalition aimed at securing the Strait when circumstances permit.