UK Joins Hormuz Defence Mission

London will contribute Typhoon fighter jets, the warship HMS Dragon, and autonomous mine-hunting equipment to a multinational defense mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement was made by British Defense Secretary John Healey during a virtual summit attended by more than 40 defense ministers from countries participating in the operation.

According to Healey, the mission will be ready to launch as soon as conditions allow. He stressed that the aim of the operation is to ensure maritime security in a strategically important region.

“Together with our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent and credible”, the British minister said in a statement.

The deployment of British forces follows a sharp decline in shipping traffic in the area due to the war with Iran. The conflict has disrupted oil exports and contributed to rising energy prices on global markets.

(reuters, bak)