The United Kingdom on Tuesday pledged to provide autonomous vessels to protect the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a stable ceasefire in the Middle East. This was reported by Politico, according to UNN.
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Defense Secretary John Healey proposed new British-made uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for a multinational mission led by the UK and France, designed to guarantee the safety of international shipping in the event of a lasting truce.
The announcement came during a meeting of defense ministers in London, held against a backdrop of political instability in the UK. Keir Starmer urged fellow party members to focus on achieving stability in the Middle East amid threats to his leadership.
The uncrewed vessels are planned to be provided in addition to British autonomous mine-clearing systems and the forward deployment of the warship HMS Dragon — a Type 45 destroyer.
Healey expressed support for Starmer after dozens of Labour MPs called on the Prime Minister to resign. On social media platform X, he wrote: "People are concerned about current conflicts and looming global crises. They expect the government to lead the country through these challenges, as the Prime Minister is doing. Further instability is not in Britain's interest. Right now, all our focus must be on immediate economic and security challenges."
Starmer himself refused to discuss his own political future during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, focusing instead on the consequences of the war in Iran.
A Downing Street spokesperson said ministers "agreed: the number one priority remains opening the Strait of Hormuz to restore international shipping."
However, the British proposal for maritime security assistance depends on achieving a lasting truce between the US and Iran, which US President Donald Trump has called "incredibly weak."