UK Defense confirms autonomous mine-hunting systems in war theatre; RN nuke powered sub in Arabian Sea
”This is a major escalation from Iran; it is a breach of international law”, warned UK Defense Secretary John Healey
HMS Anson is positioned in deep waters of the northern Arabian Sea. The vessel is armed with Tomahawk Block IV land-attack cruise missiles
The UK Defense Secretary John Healey has confirmed autonomous mine-hunting systems are in the Middle East, as he visited the Permanent Joint Armed Forces Headquarters at Northwood. Meanwhile the Daily Mail from London reported over the weekend that a British nuclear sub, HMS Anson is positioned in northern Arabian Sea in clear range of Iranian targets.
Iran has vowed to block the region’s oil exports, saying it would not allow even a single liter to be shipped to its adversaries; however, President Trump has threatened to unleash death, fire and fury on Iran if it meddles with the flow of oil in the Middle East.
Iranian mine threat
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway south of Iran and one of the world’s most important trade routes, through which a fifth of global oil and seaborne gas is shipped from production facilities and refineries in the Gulf to buyers around the world.
We’ve seen the reports that the Iranians have started mining the straits. We’ve seen the reports overnight of more civilian commercial ships that have been attacked, unarmed, doing their normal business, Mr. Healey said.
This is a major escalation from Iran. It is a breach of international law. It’s a very serious situation that is having an impact on oil prices and the cost of living for everyone.
Russia’s Shahed drones
The Defense Secretary also said there was a growing axis of aggression between Russia and Iran, as the two countries have used similar tactics, such as launching Shahed drones into neighboring states.
It comes after reports that Moscow is aiding Tehran by giving the state advanced drone tactics learnt from the conflict in Ukraine to target the US and Gulf nations in the Middle East.
We’ve seen the way that Russia has fired nearly 60,000 Iranian-style drones into Ukraine, and we see from Iran some of the same tactics we see from Russia. And so those links between two countries, that menace their neighbors and pose a threat more widely to us all, are part and parcel of what we’re dealing with, what our forces out in the region are dealing with.
Tackling mine threat in Strait of Hormuz
The Defense Secretary addressed members of the Armed Forces involved in the UK’s response to the Iran war at the base in northwest London. During his visit, he thanked the personnel and said that there had been no British casualties so far in the conflict.
It’s a chance to say a big thank you for the work they’ve been doing, not just through these last 15 days, to ensure that we can be flying defensive operations for our troops, our citizens and our allies in the region, he added.
Mr Healey also said that Northwood is coordinating 30 other operations. It’s our defense eyes everywhere, on Ukraine, on Russian aggression, on the High North, around the world, he said.
HMS Anson in position
In related news the Daily Mail reported that the nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine HMS Anson has arrived in the Arabian Sea, positioning British forces within striking distance of Iran.
The HMS Anson, a 97-meter Astute-class attack submarine, departed Perth, Australia on March 6 and is believed to have taken position in the deep waters of the northern Arabian Sea, it said. The vessel is armed with Tomahawk Block IV land-attack cruise missiles with a range of around 1,600 kilometers, as well as Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
The reported deployment would give British forces the capacity to launch strikes on Iran if the conflict further escalates.
The UK Defense Ministry declined to confirm the submarine’s location, with a spokesperson saying the government would not provide details on specific operations or deployments, adding that capabilities in the region were kept under constant review.
The report came after Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had agreed to allow the US to use British bases to launch strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that drew criticism from US President Donald Trump, who said Britain had been very late in stepping up.
