Military Action in the Strait of Hormuz
British military personnel are now working with CENTCOM as part of a long-term mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. They’ve already started discussions with allies, including France, Canada, and Japan.
The goal seems to be that Britain aims to lead a multinational coalition to reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz as soon as feasible—probably suggesting not while the war is ongoing. Anonymous defense officials mentioned that meetings have occurred between partner nations and more are on the agenda. It appears the Western coalition is cautiously considering President Trump’s urging to prioritize its national interests, particularly in maintaining oil flow through this crucial waterway.
It’s up for debate whether the strait is actually closed at the moment. The U.S. has been targeting Iranian military assets vigorously, which has reportedly weakened Iran’s navy and missile capabilities. Concerns about mines in the strait have lingered for years, but current intelligence suggests there are only a handful of mines in the area—far fewer than had been anticipated. Meanwhile, there’s increasing talk about peace negotiations.
Regardless of the technical status of the strait, global shipowners aren’t likely to return and resume oil shipments until it’s confirmed that shipping routes are genuinely safe. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has maintained the stance that the UK will not engage in the Iran conflict for now, meaning probably only once either a ceasefire is reached or Iran’s resistance is diminished.
The mission, in essence, involves clearing any remaining threats, like mines, and ensuring that oil tankers can safely navigate the strait, with military ships either on standby or engaging more assertively as the situation demands.
The British Chief of Defense Staff convened a meeting last week, which included leaders from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada. Additional gatherings with around 30 countries, including Gulf states, are reportedly planned soon.
The intention behind these discussions, along with the integration of British personnel into CENTCOM, is to develop a “workable joint plan.” A defense official noted the need to foster a coalition aimed at establishing secure shipping routes through the strait whenever conditions allow, which involves leveraging Britain’s advanced autonomous mine-hunting technology and capabilities in naval warfare.
However, there are challenges for the UK in this context. The U.S. has expectations for London to assist with landmines in the Gulf, yet the UK currently lacks a demining vessel to deploy effectively.
Historically, the UK excelled in mine warfare during the Cold War, boasting a fleet of over 100 mine-hunting ships. This capability allowed the U.S. Navy to focus on other priorities. However, the UK’s mine-sweeping operations were reduced, culminating in the withdrawal of the last squadron earlier this year.
The UK is currently facing a kind of embarrassment as its established reputation as a formidable naval force has been somewhat eroded by perceptions that it lacks the necessary ships to engage in the ongoing conflict with Iran. This situation is partly due to long-term budgetary choices by the UK Treasury, which has systematically reduced military capabilities.
One notable consequence of this strategy has been the persistence of gaps in capability, particularly in mine-hunting. The transition from manned ships to unmanned drones leaves the military short-handed during an actual crisis, especially as older systems are phased out and new ones aren’t yet operational.
It raises questions about the UK’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to this effort in Hormuz. Japan has already sent a Type 45 destroyer to the Eastern Mediterranean, but the UK’s own destroyer fleet is limited and many vessels are undergoing refurbishments.
Ultimately, there are discussions about possibly utilizing converted ships from the British fleet for mine-hunting missions. Yet, it seems there are complications facing this approach, as these vessels may not be optimal for the task at hand.
