The Royal Navy will protect all British-flagged ships from attacks by Iran as they pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the Government claims.
The bold pledge on Boris Johnson ’s first full day as PM overturns last week’s stance by defence bosses that we have too few ships to carry this out.
It is believed the Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose, already on escort duty, will stay in the region after the Type 25 destroyer HMS Duncan arrives on Monday.
We also have four minesweepers in the area and another frigate, HMS Kent, is expected in a few weeks.
The build-up comes after Iran’s seizure last Friday of the British-flagged Stena Impero .
It was seen as revenge for the UK impounding a sanctions-busting tanker en route to the Islamic state.
The previous government advised UK vessels not to transit Hormuz but yesterday a spokesman said: “The Navy has been tasked to accompany British-flagged ships through the Strait, individually or in groups.”
Ships carrying British flags are not necessarily British-owned but operate under the laws of the country of the flag it carries- making the Iranian seizure largely a British responsibility.
The announcement also comes as Johnson claimed he wants to boost defence spending - a claim that follows almost a decade of brutal cuts by his Tory colleagues to our military budgets.
After last week’s seizure the previous government advised British-flagged vessels not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
But a British government spokesman announced the new instruction, adding: “Freedom of navigation is crucial for the global trading system and world economy, and we will do all we can to defend it.”
Britain wants a European-led maritime protection mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s seizure of the tanker, which was branded “state piracy” by Britain.
France, Italy and Denmark support the idea but Germany has said it is too early to discuss how Berlin might take part.
