The United Kingdom has sent a warship to the Middle East region to prepare for a potential future mission to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
On 9 May 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence announced it is deploying a warship to the Middle East to prepare for a possible mission to secure shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the Royal Navy's HMS Dragon will support mine-clearance operations and protect commercial shipping, as part of a plan focused solely on defensive measures.
"The pre-deployment of HMS Dragon is part of careful planning to ensure the UK is prepared as part of a UK- and France-led multinational force to secure the Strait when conditions allow," a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
The UK and France are leading efforts to establish a multinational mission to secure maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the US and Israel began attacks on Iran on 28 February. They have also invited other international allies to participate.
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Source:cnn