Britain says it will join the United States in an “international maritime security mission” to protect merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tension with Iran.
The move follows a spate of incidents where Iranian forces have illegally seized foreign oil tankers in the vital Gulf thoroughfare.
“This deployment will reinforce security and provide reassurance for shipping,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says in a statement.
“Our aim is to build the broadest international support to uphold freedom of navigation in the region, as protected under international law.”
The UK sought the help of Europe to counter Iranian aggression in the region, but the EU seemed reluctant. In an act of defiance, France and Germany indicated they would refuse to join a US-led mission if one was formed, but they also offered no viable solutions. The UK has gone ahead with the mission, hoping others will put aside their agendas and join the mission in order to protect this vital shipping lane.
Iran’s threats and piracy on open water clearly show the nature of a regime that is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world. We must stand up to this aggression.
CUFI calls on the UK to “End the Iran Deal”
Christians United for Israel UK is calling upon the British government to end its involvement in the Iran Nuclear Deal after “multiple breaches by the regime”.
The petition, launched on Thursday as part of CUFI’s on-going Operation Mordecai campaign, accuses Iran of failing to show any evidence of reform since the deal was made in 2015 and says the Join Plan of Action (JCPOA) provides no credible solution.
It follows the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirming this week that Iran has now exceeded the agreed limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium. The regime has also vowed to continue enrichment to “any amount we want” – moving Iran closer to a nuclear weapon.
CUFI UK Director, Des Starritt, says “The United Kingdom is ‘urgently considering next steps’ but remains one of five countries still part of the deal after the US withdrew and imposed new sanctions.”
“The UK must choose to stop supporting the aggressive terrorist funding Iranian regime and make a stand in solidarity with our closest allies – Israel and the United States.”
Read the petition in full and add your name
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