![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/100426UKSHIPphoto01.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\tThe HMS Dragon travels in the Mediterranean Sea en route to Cyprus on March 25, 2026. (United Kingdom Ministry of Defence)
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The United Kingdom will send a warship to the Middle East to be part of a potential mission to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is formally ended. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe prepositioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the U.K. is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the U.K. and France, to secure the strait, when conditions allow,\u201d the Ministry of Defense said in a statement Saturday.<\/p>\n
France said Wednesday that it would move an aircraft carrier strike group, led by nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, into the Red Sea.<\/p>\n
HMS Dragon<\/a>, currently in the eastern Mediterranean, was deployed to the region on March 10 along with \u201cdrone-busting\u201d Wildcat helicopters after an Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. <\/p>\n NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday<\/a> that allies are preparing for a possible role in assisting the U.S.<\/p>\n \u201cI see more and more European countries preposition essential logistical and other support, for example minehunters … for the next phase,\u201d Rutte said at the start of a meeting of the European Political Community in Armenia. He did not give further details.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, U.S. officials are waiting for Iran to respond to the most recent proposal to end the war, which began Feb. 28.<\/p>\n The monthlong ceasefire is still in effect, U.S. officials say, despite recent exchanges<\/a> of fire between U.S. forces and Iran.<\/p>\n U.S. Central Command said Saturday that the naval blockade against Iran continues.<\/p>\n