Autonomous mine-hunting systems are now in the Middle East, confirms Healey
Autonomous mine-hunting systems are in the Middle East, the Defence Secretary has confirmed, as he visited the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood.
John Healey said he had been speaking to military planners about what else could be sent to work with allies if needed.
Iran has vowed to block the region’s oil exports, saying it would not allow "even a single litre" 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.
Major escalation from Iran
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."
The connection between Iran and Russia
The Defence 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 neighbouring 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," he said.
"And we see from Iran some of the same tactics we see from Russia in Iran.
"And so those links between two countries, that menace their neighbours, that 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."
Big thank you
The Defence 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 13 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 defence eyes everywhere, on Ukraine, on Russian aggression, on the High North, around the world," he said.
Permanent Joint Headquarters Northwood has facilities for 2,000 personnel and has been used by the UK Armed Forces since 1939.
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