UK Sends Jets, Drones and Warship to Multinational Strait of Hormuz Mission

The UK has committed drones, Typhoon fighter jets, autonomous mine-clearing systems and a warship to a multinational defensive mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Defence minister John Healey announced the contribution at a virtual summit of defence ministers on Tuesday.

The package includes drone boats and more than 1,000 British personnel already deployed in the region for counter-drone and fast-jet operations. More than 40 other nations are involved in the mission, which was announced last month by the UK and France.

Healey said the operation will begin when conditions allow and is strictly defensive, aimed at restoring confidence for commercial shipping. The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. Its disruption has driven global energy prices higher in recent months.

For months Iran has controlled parts of the strait in retaliation for US and Israeli actions. The US has enforced a blockade of Iranian ports, a step that has drawn Iranian anger. Both sides have traded accusations of attacks in the waterway. A ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in effect since April.

HMS Dragon, an air-defence destroyer already en route to the Middle East, will be ready for operations to secure the strait. The Ministry of Defence described the multinational effort as independent and credible. "With our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent, and credible," Healey said in a statement.

A Downing Street spokesperson said ministers viewed reopening the Strait of Hormuz as the top priority so international shipping could resume. Starmer has maintained that the UK will not be dragged into the conflict. He has previously stated that Britain would not support a US blockade of Iranian ports, which remains in place.

In a post on X, Healey said Starmer was leading the country through conflicts and looming global crises. He added that more instability is not in Britain's interest and that the full focus must be on immediate economic and security challenges. The mission forms part of broader efforts to de-escalate tensions that have rippled through global energy markets.