Britain will deploy a warship, fighter jets and autonomous systems as part of a multinational security mission in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) said on Tuesday.
British Defense Secretary John Healey announced the plan following a virtual meeting of defense ministers involving representatives from more than 40 countries.
According to the MOD, Britain will provide 115 million pounds (156 million U.S. dollars) in new funding for autonomous mine-hunting equipment and advanced counter-drone systems.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon is currently sailing toward the Middle East in support of the operation.
This deployment follows last week's announcement that the UK and France will jointly lead a multinational Strait of Hormuz mission. French Ministry of Armed Forces said France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group had crossed the Suez Canal and is heading toward the southern Red Sea.
In response, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, warned on Sunday that the presence of French and British warships in the Strait of Hormuz to accompany U.S. "illegal and internationally unlawful" actions will be met with a "decisive and immediate" response from Iran's armed forces.
A U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman has now entered its second month. The restrictions on Iranian oil exports have placed significant pressure on Iran's economy while introducing fresh uncertainty into global energy supplies.
International oil prices rose sharply on Tuesday. The West Texas Intermediate for June delivery increased by 4.19 percent to settle at 102.18 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for July delivery gained 3.42 percent to settle at 107.77 U.S. dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
Britain to send warship, fighter jets in multinational Hormuz operation
