The UK has pledged fighter jets, drones and a warship to a multinational effort aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
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The announcement was made on Tuesday by defence minister John Healey during a virtual meeting of defence ministers from countries participating in the initiative. The mission, involving more than 40 nations, is intended to safeguard shipping in the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to global markets.
British officials said the operation would begin once conditions allow.
Tensions in the region have been high for months after Iran asserted control over the waterway in response to military strikes by the United States and Israel.
UK military contribution
The UK’s contribution will include autonomous systems designed to detect and clear naval mines, drone boats and Eurofighter Typhoon jets assigned to conduct air patrols over the shipping lanes.
Officials said the mission would be supported by £115m in new funding to expand the use of mine-hunting drones and counter-drone technologies.
A British destroyer, HMS Dragon, which is already travelling toward the Middle East, will be ready to take part in operations aimed at securing the waterway. Another vessel, RFA Lyme Bay, is currently being upgraded with additional equipment in case it is required for deployment.
The UK already has more than 1,000 personnel stationed in the region as part of existing defensive operations. These include counter-drone teams and fast-jet squadrons, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Healey said the multinational mission, first announced last month by the UK and France, is intended to reassure shipping companies and restore safe passage through the strait.
“With our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent and credible,” he said in a statement.
Strategic waterway under strain
The Strait of Hormuz carries around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions there have already pushed global energy prices higher.
Iran has maintained control over the passage in retaliation for military pressure from Washington and its allies. At the same time, the United States has enforced a blockade of Iranian ports in an attempt to force Tehran to accept its terms, a move that has drawn strong criticism from Iran.
Although a ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in place since April, the situation remains fragile. US President Donald Trump recently described the truce as being on “massive life support”.
Both Tehran and Washington have accused each other of launching attacks in the strait during the standoff.
Political backdrop in London
The defence announcement comes as domestic political pressure builds on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Dozens of Labour MPs have called on him to step down, prompting a show of support from Healey.
In a message posted on X, Healey said Starmer was guiding Britain through a period of international instability and warned that further political turmoil would not be in the country’s interests.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Starmer did not address calls for his resignation. Instead, discussions focused on the consequences of the Middle East conflict.
A spokesperson for Downing Street said ministers agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping remained the government’s top priority.
Starmer has repeatedly said the UK should not be “dragged” into the conflict. He has also stated that Britain would not support the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026
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