The United Kingdom has deployed the destroyer Dragon to the Middle East as tensions persist around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which around 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been in place since April, both sides have recently accused each other of attacks in the strait, raising concerns about global energy security.

Dragon, one of the Royal Navy's six advanced air defence destroyers, had been operating in the eastern Mediterranean to help protect British air bases in Cyprus after a drone strike in March. The Ministry of Defence said the new deployment is part of prudent planning and would allow the warship to contribute immediately to any future defensive multinational mission in the region.

Last month, 51 countries met to discuss safeguarding commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with several offering assets to a joint effort alongside France. The government has maintained that it will not be drawn into the conflict, while confirming that Cyprus remains well defended despite the redeployment.