UK military build-up in Gulf raises fears of escalation

“UK military build-up in Gulf raises fears of escalation The United Kingdom has announced a major military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, a move that risks inflaming tensions and further destabilising an already volatile region. Defence Secretary John Healey said London will send mine-hunting drones, Typhoon fighter jets and the warship HMS Dragon in a move that could see the country joing the Israeli-US war on Iran. He made the announcement during a virtual meeting with defence ministers from more than 40 countries involved in the operation, adding that the mission will begin when conditions permit. "With our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent, and credible," he said. The deployment comes as the war involving Iran has sharply reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Tthe scale of the deployment - including advanced surveillance systems, high-speed drone boats, combat aircraft and a guided missile destroyer - is likely to be viewed by Tehran as a direct provocation, raising concerns that it could trigger further retaliation.

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