Key Facts

• HMS Dragon is a Type 45 destroyer, one of the Royal Navy’s six advanced warships designed to defend against air and missile attacks.
• The ship will "pre-position" in the Middle East ahead of a possible international operation to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas passes through it.
• Iran has controlled the strait recently, partly in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
• A ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in place since April, but conflict in the region continues with recent mutual accusations of attacks.
• International leaders like France’s president Emmanuel Macron and UK opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer support the shipping protection mission.
• Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK will participate only after fighting in the region ends and will not support actions like a US blockade of Iranian ports.
• HMS Dragon recently defended British air bases in Cyprus following an Iranian drone attack and had a minor technical issue that required docking shortly after arriving.