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. 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 joining 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 has sharply reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.  The 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.

Original source: Middle East Eye