LONDON: Britain’s navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the US killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in an air strike.
Britain was forced to escort its ships through the world’s most important waterway for oil shipments for a time last year after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait.
British forces had previously captured an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar that was accused of violating sanctions on Syria. The killing of Soleimani has raised fears that tankers could be targeted again.
British defence minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties for all ships sailing under a British merchant flag.
Wallace said he had spoken to his US counterpart, Defence Secretary Mark Esper, and urged restraint on all sides.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meanwhile, said that Britain would not lament Soleimani, but called for restraint in the response to his death.
Soleimani “was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region. Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and Western personnel, we will not lament his death,” Johnson said in an emailed statement.
He added: “Calls for ... reprisals will simply lead to more violence.”
Johnson said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron about the rising tension in the Middle East, adding: “We are in close contact with all sides to encourage de-escalation.”
He said steps had been taken to increase the security of British personnel and interests in the region.