The Royal Navy is deploying the destroyer HMS Dragon to the Middle East, where it could join a multinational mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Defence said the move is part of prudent planning and would allow the warship to take part immediately in a strictly defensive and independent operation if required.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are backing the proposed mission, which would begin only after fighting in the region has ended. Iran has controlled the Strait of Hormuz for months following attacks by the United States and Israel, disrupting a waterway that carries about one fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas and driving up global energy prices.

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been in place since April, tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of launching attacks in the strait. HMS Dragon, one of Britain’s most advanced air defence warships, was previously stationed in the eastern Mediterranean to help protect British bases in Cyprus. Officials said Cyprus remains well defended as the destroyer prepares for its potential new role.