UK deploys warship to West Asia amid plans to secure Hormuz

Britain has said it is deploying its warship HMS Dragon to West Asia in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. Earlier, the warship had been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, soon after the outbreak of the Iran war, to support the defence of Cyprus.  
Its move toward West Asia comes after France dispatched its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea, reflecting growing coordination between Britain and France on plans to restore confidence in one of the world’s most critical trade corridors.  Britain’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the deployment of HMS Dragon forms part of careful planning to ensure the UK is prepared to participate in a multinational coalition aimed at securing the Strait when circumstances permit. 
HMS Dragon, a Type 45 air-defence destroyer, had earlier been stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean after being dispatched in March shortly after the outbreak of the Iran war. The vessel was initially tasked with helping protect Cyprus during heightened regional instability. As the US and Iran inch toward a potential off-ramp from their 10-week war, France and Britain have been working on a proposal to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the Strait once the situation stabilises.