Britain Readies Autonomous Equipment to Clear Mines from Strait of Hormuz

British forces stationed at Gibraltar are preparing to send autonomous mine-hunting equipment into the Strait of Hormuz if a peace agreement halts fighting between the United States and Iran. Officials said the mine-clearing operation would reopen the waterway to commercial traffic.

The United Kingdom permitted U.S. bombers to take off from bases in southern England during recent strikes on Iran. British fighter jets have conducted thousands of defensive sorties across the Middle East since the conflict began. Britain’s armed forces minister, who previously served as a Royal Marine officer, told reporters the country currently has more combat aircraft in the region than at any time in the past 15 years and has shot down more than 100 drones.

Closure of the strait has stopped tanker traffic and raised global energy prices. The mine-clearing plan is intended to restore passage for oil and cargo vessels once hostilities cease.