Britain escalated its warnings to Iran on Tuesday over its threats to close the oil lanes of the Gulf by declaring that additional naval forces were lined up to defend the Strait of Hormuz.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, told the House of Commons that the Royal Navy presence in the Gulf would maintain free passage through the most important artery for global oil exports. “Britain maintains a constant presence in the region as part of our enduring contribution to Gulf security. The Royal Navy has been conducting such patrols since 1980,” he said.
“At the weekend HMS Argyll and a French vessel joined a US carrier group transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. This was a routine movement but it underlined the unwavering international commitment to maintaining rights of passage under international law. Any attempt by Iran to block the Strait would be both illegal and unsuccessful. “Philip Hammond, Defence Secretary, said Britain was ready to increase its deployments to the Gulf by drawing from Royal Navy patrols. He said: “The UK has a contingent capability to reinforce that presence should at any time it be considered necessary to do so.”
Mr Hague was answering an urgent question from the Conservative MP Richard Halfon, who compared the Iranian threat to the Soviet menace.