The UK is considering deploying unmanned minehunting systems to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as tensions disrupt a vital global oil route.
British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said ministers are coordinating with allies, including the US, after President Donald Trump urged partner countries to send naval vessels to secure the shipping lane.
“It is very important that we get the Strait of Hormuz reopened,” The Guardian quoted Miliband as saying.
“There are different ways that we could contribute, including with mine-hunting drones. All of these things are being looked at in concert with our allies. Any options that can help to get the strait reopened are being looked at.”
Although minehunters can detect and neutralize underwater bombs while reducing risks to crews, analysts said their effectiveness is limited by short battery life and the complexity of the region, which lies within range of Iranian anti-ship missiles.
Threat Unverified
Uncertainty remains over whether Iran has deployed mines, with British Defence Secretary John Healey saying it was becoming “clearer and clearer” explosives were being laid, and US counterpart Pete Hegseth saying there is presently “no clear evidence.”
Mine threats could halt traffic through the corridor, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point, making it effectively impassable for commercial shipping.
Approximately 20 percent of the global oil supply passes through the strait, with the war causing prices to rise from about $65 to $100 per barrel in the US.
‘Swift Resolution’
Commenting on London’s possible contribution, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is carefully working with partners to restore the Middle Eastern seaway while avoiding escalation.
“We are working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable, collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible,” he stated.
“We will not be drawn into the wider war … and we will keep working towards a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region.”
