U.K Naval Destroyer HMS Dragon To Join U.S Navy In ‘Freedom Of Navigation’ Mission To Secure Strait Of Hormuz

The United Kingdom is sending a Royal Navy Warship to the Middle East as preparations are ongoing for a multinational operation to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, per the country’s Defence Ministry.

The HMS Dragon is a Type 45 destroyer which was earlier operating near Cyprus and is now to join the U.K and French-led maritime operation, as reported by multiple U.K news outlets.

The mission, which is supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The crucial maritime chokepoint handles 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies, and since the advent of the U.S.-Iran war, the waterway has been blocked by Iran.

In response, the U.S. has also imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports, preventing the entry and exit of oil tankers.

“We can confirm that HMS Dragon will deploy to the Middle East to pre-position ahead of any future multinational mission to protect international shipping when conditions allow them to transit the Strait of Hormuz,” the U.K spokesperson said.

He also added, “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.”

Tensions escalated in the region since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, leading to retaliatory attacks from Iran against Israel as well as U.S allies in the region, which houses its military and naval bases.

A ceasefire came into effect on April 8 with the help of Pakistani intervention, but further negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting solution.

The truce was then extended by Trump to allow more time for diplomatic talks between the two parties; however, Iran’s resolve not to give up its nuclear program stalled further progress.

Additionally, the U.S wanted Iran to negotiate on its terms, which was not acceptable to the leadership in Tehran.

U.S President Trump recently announced that the US will temporarily pause Project Freedom to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.