London: The UK is deploying a Royal Navy warship to the Middle East in preparation for a possible multinational mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the Defense Ministry announced. The HMS Dragon, previously stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus, will be pre-positioned in the region to potentially join a UK- and French-led maritime initiative once conditions are deemed appropriate.

According to Anadolu Agency, the mission is supported by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. It aims to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The ministry's spokesperson confirmed the deployment, emphasizing that HMS Dragon will stand ready to participate in a multinational coalition, spearheaded by the UK and France, to secure the strait when feasible.

Regional tensions have been on the rise following US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, which prompted Tehran to retaliate against Israel and US allies in the Gulf and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Although a ceasefire was brokered on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to yield a lasting resolution. The truce was later extended indefinitely by former President Trump, opening the door for continued diplomatic efforts.

Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime activities in the area. Recently, Trump announced a temporary pause of "Project Freedom" to restore commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, although the American blockade remains firmly in place.