Britain joins US mission to patrol Strait of Hormuz

Under new prime minister Boris Johnson, the UK has decided to join a US-led coalition to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after a string of incidents in the region over the past three months.

While exact operational details are being determined, the mission is intended to improve coordination between different countries’ militaries and commercial shipping.

A number of other countries are expected to join the mission, including Australia.

The UK’s defence secretary Ben Wallace said yesterday: “The UK is determined to ensure her shipping is protected from unlawful threats and for that reason we have today joined the new maritime security mission in the Gulf. Upholding international maritime law and freedom of passage is in all our interests.”