Britain will deploy military forces to protect shipping in the critical Gulf waterway as part of a UK-France led mission involving 12 nations after Iran reopened the vital trade route
Britain will make “a wide-ranging military contribution” to an international mission to safeguard shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route, the UK ambassador to the US has revealed.
The pledge by Sir Christian Turner comes amid longstanding concerns over the condition of the nation’s armed forces and warnings of insufficient funding. Just this week, Labour former defence secretary and Nato chief Lord Robertson of Port Ellen accused his own Government of “corrosive complacency” in the face of “the bright red signals of danger”.
The multinational mission, co-led by the UK and France, is designed to offer reassurance to vessels navigating the critical Gulf waterway once the conflict with Iran has ended, Sir Christian told a gathering in Washington.
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The initiative was unveiled at talks in Paris involving nearly 50 nations, which the senior diplomat said demonstrated global determination to prevent tolls or restrictions being placed on the shipping lane, through which one fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies are transported.
Around 12 countries have so far committed to joining the mission. The move has been dismissed by US president Donald Trump, who seized upon it as yet another opportunity to brand Nato “useless” after the alliance declined to back his offensive against Iran.
In response, Sir Christian was quick to point out that the mission was not being led by the military alliance. He stated that the proposed measures to protect future freedom of navigation would follow “seamlessly” on from Iran’s announcement that it had reopened the strait to shipping as part of the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East.
The US and Iran are currently in the midst of a fragile truce set to last until 22 April, while Israel and Lebanon have embarked on a 10-day ceasefire.
Iran had effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli bombing campaign commenced at the end of February, driving up energy and fuel prices across the globe.
Speaking about Friday’s gathering in Paris, Sir Christian said: “The very scale of that 49 country coalition, which included leaders from Africa, from Asia, South Korea, Japan, the scale and size of it shows the international resolve and willingness to act and to show Iran that it is isolated.
“And the critical and key message is that there is global agreement that there can be no tolls or restriction on the passage of trade through those through those straits. And I’m pleased to say that the discussion, as well as reiterating that resolve was practically orientated.”
He went on to say: “Military planning is under way, and it’s focusing on marshalling capabilities to provide reassurance to the shipping industry in the aftermath of the ceasefire that we hope is going to be cemented and confirmed. Specifically, the UK and France have agreed that they are establishing an independent, multinational mission.
“It will be defensive but protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators and conduct mine clearance operations as soon as conditions permit.
“And there are 12 countries of today’s talks who have already offered capabilities for that mission. The UK itself, will be making a wide-ranging military contribution, and that will be confirmed and announced at a military planning conference, to in effect bring all of that together under a clear command and control structure, that will happen early next week.”
Describing it as “a significant development, a strong signal of intent”, Sir Christian said: “It follows very seamlessly, I hope, from the very welcome… confirmation today that the straits are back open for traffic without restriction, and this, then hopefully, is a capability that can follow from that and ensure the freedom of navigation.”
When pushed on Mr Trump’s latest dig at Nato, telling it to “stay away”, the ambassador took the opportunity to praise the president’s leadership in pushing up defence spending amongst members, acknowledging that Europe “has to burden share”. He added: “Although Nato was an observer of (the) talks, this is not a Nato mission, because it’s a mission we’re trying to stand up in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Sir Christian also underlined the importance of Nato, describing it as “the most successful and enduring defensive alliance in history”. He stated: “It’s not a question of us and them. We’re all Nato. It’s safeguarded Americans and Europeans for over 75 years.”
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