UK Mulls Ship and Drone Deployment to Strait of Hormuz
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says the government is considering sending ships and mine-hunting drones to the Strait of Hormuz to help reopen the critical shipping lane.
UK is considering sending ships and mine-hunting drones to the Middle East in an attempt to reopen the strait of Hormuz, according to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Miliband confirmed on Sunday that ministers are talking to their allies about how the UK can help secure the vital waterway after the US president, Donald Trump, urged Britain and other countries to deploy ships to the region.
The strait of Hormuz is a crucial global shipping route, through which about 20% of the world's oil supply passes. Tensions have escalated in the region in recent months, with the US blaming Iran for attacks on oil tankers and shooting down a US drone. Iran denies responsibility for the tanker attacks.
Miliband said the government is looking at "any options" to help reopen the shipping lanes. "We're talking to our allies about how we can help play a role in de-escalating the situation and making sure those shipping lanes remain open," he told the BBC.
The UK move comes after the US asked its allies to join a naval mission to protect merchant shipping in the Gulf following a series of tanker attacks that Washington has blamed on Iran. Iran has denied involvement in the attacks.
Tensions in the Gulf have risen sharply since May, when four oil tankers were damaged by explosions near the Strait of Hormuz. The US has since bolstered its military presence in the region, including deploying an aircraft carrier, B-52 bombers and Patriot missiles.
The UK move comes as European powers try to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which the US abandoned last year. Iran has threatened to breach the deal's limits on its nuclear activities if European countries do not find a way to circumvent US sanctions.
Miliband said the government is looking at "any options" to help reopen the shipping lanes. "We're talking to our allies about how we can help play a role in de-escalating the situation and making sure those shipping lanes remain open," he told the BBC.
The UK move comes after the US asked its allies to join a naval mission to protect merchant shipping in the Gulf following a series of tanker attacks that Washington has blamed on Iran. Iran has denied involvement in the attacks.
Source: The Guardian
