The Royal Navy destroyer ‘Dragon’ will begin an upcoming deployment in preparations for a possible international shipping protection mission in the
The destroyer will position itself “in the Middle East region”according to a spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense, prepared to join the initiative led by the United Kingdom and France once hostilities between Iran and US and Israeli forces cease.
Although a fragile ceasefire is in place, US forces on Friday attacked two Iranian oil tankers attempting to break the blockade imposed by US President Donald Trump.
The mission proposed and promoted by the British Prime Minister, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, would involve a coalition of nations willing to guarantee freedom of navigation in the strait, a vital route for the global supply of oil and gas, as well as other products, including fertilizers.
“We can confirm that the ‘Dragon’ will be deployed to the Middle East to position itself ahead of any future multinational mission to protect international shipping when conditions allow its transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” the spokesperson said.
The deployment is part, again according to the spokesperson, of prudent planning that will ensure that the United Kingdom is prepared, as part of a multinational coalition led jointly by and, to secure the strait when conditions allow.
The decision to move the ‘Dragon’ from the Eastern Mediterranean, where it was defending British bases in Cyprus, will allow the destroyer to contribute immediately if the defensive mission in the strait begins, because the British Government now considers that Cyprus has sufficient protection
In addition to the ‘Dragon’, the support ship ‘Lyme Bay’ is being adapted to function as a mother ship for mine detection drones, which They could be used to help clear the strait.
“This measure seeks to be prepared, in case conditions allow our coalition to begin its work. The United Kingdom and France will continue to lead these efforts, transforming diplomatic consensus into military options,” the spokesperson concluded.
