The UK government is considering deploying minesweeping drones to the Strait of Hormuz rather than sending ships, amid concerns that complying with US President Donald Trump's demand for naval vessels could escalate the crisis with Iran. Ministers are drawing up plans to use aerial minesweepers to clear the vital waterway of mines, allowing oil exports to resume, but officials fear sending ships could worsen the volatile situation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce tens of millions of pounds to support Britons facing higher energy prices, while emphasising the importance of de-escalation. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC that mine-hunting drones are among the options being considered, in coordination with allies, to reopen the strait.
Iran's threat to target ships using the strait, through which 20% of the world's oil normally passes, has driven oil prices from $65 to over $100 a barrel. Economists predict higher inflation and lower growth, depending on the conflict's duration. The crisis has strained relations between Trump and Starmer, after the UK refused to allow US use of British bases for initial strikes on Tehran.
Trump recently called on several countries, including the UK, to send ships to the region. British officials are sceptical due to the depleted state of the navy; the last UK minesweeper in the area, HMS Middleton, left for maintenance before the war began. However, they are more optimistic about deploying minesweeping drones, which mimic ship movements to safely detonate mines, and Octopus counter-drones originally intended for Ukraine.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised the government for not increasing defence spending. Meanwhile, the UK, Japan, China, and South Korea are weighing Trump's request, with Japan urging caution and South Korea exploring measures to protect energy routes.
