UK sends destroyer to Middle East for potential Hormuz shipping mission

The UK is deploying a Royal Navy destroyer to the Middle East in preparation for a possible multinational mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday. The HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer previously stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus, will “pre-position” in the region and stand ready to join a UK- and French-led maritime initiative once conditions allow, multiple UK news outlets reported, citing the ministry spokesperson.