UK deploys warship to Middle East with eye on potential Hormuz mission
LONDON, May 9 (Reuters) – Britain said on Saturday it was deploying warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz when conditions permit.
The air defense destroyer HMS Dragon was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in March to assist in the defense of Cyprus, shortly after the start of the Iran war.
The move to the Middle East followed France’s move to deploy its carrier strike group in the southern Red Sea; The two countries are working together on a defense plan aimed at restoring confidence in the trade route.
“The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning to ensure that it is ready to secure the Bosphorus when conditions are right, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France,” a UK Ministry of Defense spokesman said.
As the United States and Iran move closer to a potential exit from the 10-week war, France and Britain are working on a proposal to lay the groundwork for safe passage through the Bosphorus once the situation stabilizes.
The plan needs coordination with Iran, and a dozen countries have expressed willingness to participate.
Britain’s ability to participate in any protection missions will be limited by the scope of the Royal Navy, which is now much smaller than in the past and has had to retire some ships before new ships arrive.
(Reporting by Sarah YoungEditing by Alexandra Hudson)
