British warship awaits peace deal for vital mine-clearing mission in Strait of Hormuz

Hundreds of British sailors are stationed aboard the RFA Lyme Bay off Gibraltar, preparing for a mine-clearing mission to the Strait of Hormuz, though deployment remains uncertain. The mission depends on a peace agreement that requires finalisation, with Donald Trump claiming it has been largely negotiated. Tensions are heightened after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israel actions on 28 February. The closure has disrupted international shipping, driving up energy prices and harming global trade, especially oil, natural gas, and fertiliser. Trump has criticized allies for not doing enough, urging them to secure the waterway and even telling NATO allies to “go get your own oil.”

"Hundreds of British sailors are currently stationed aboard the RFA Lyme Bay off the coast of Gibraltar, poised for a mine-clearing mission to the Strait of Hormuz, though its deployment remains uncertain. The operation hinges on a peace agreement in the region, a deal which US President Donald Trump claims has been "largely negotiated" but still requires finalisation."

"The potential mission comes amidst heightened tensions, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed by Iran following the US and Israel's launch of war on 28 February. This closure has severely impacted international shipping, causing energy prices to soar and crippling global trade, particularly for oil, natural gas, and fertiliser."

"Donald Trump has been vocal in his criticism of allies, urging them to do more to support the US effort and secure the vital waterway themselves, even telling NATO allies in March to "go get your own oil". He has previously described Britain's navy as "toys" and Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "not Winston Churchill"."

Read at www.independent.co.uk