Royal Navy Sends HMS Dragon to Middle East for Potential Strait of Hormuz Mission

The Royal Navy is sending the warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East, where it could join an international mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, will pre-position in the region ahead of its potential role in what the Ministry of Defence described as a strictly defensive and independent mission.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is championing the mission alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, said it would only take place once fighting in the region ends.

Iran has controlled the Strait of Hormuz for months in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks. Some 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the crucial waterway, and its blockage has driven prices higher globally.

A ceasefire has held between the US and Iran since April, but the two sides have not reached a lasting solution to the conflict. This week, each accused the other of launching attacks in the strait.

HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers, built for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare. It ranks among Britain's most advanced warships.

The ship recently operated in the eastern Mediterranean as part of UK defensive efforts there. It mainly protected British air bases in Cyprus after an Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri in March.

The Ministry of Defence announced the deployment on Saturday. It called the move part of prudent planning, allowing HMS Dragon to contribute right away if needed for a future defensive mission.

The new Middle East mission gives the UK Armed Forces additional options for the defensive multinational Hormuz mission, the ministry said.

Last month, representatives from 51 countries met to discuss protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Sir Keir said afterward that dozens had offered to contribute assets to the joint operation with France.

Sir Keir has said the UK will not be dragged into the conflict. He previously stated the UK would not support a US blockade of Iranian ports, which remains in place.

Cyprus stays well defended, the ministry added. It has bolstered significant defensive capabilities already pre-deployed to the region since January.

HMS Dragon docked shortly after reaching Cyprus due to what the ministry called a minor technical issue. The UK government then faced accusations of responding too slowly to the Middle East conflict.