Now that Jeremy Hunt is officially not PM he can focus on the day job and that most pressing matter of – how to protect UK shipping in the Middle East with a depleted Navy? The answer lets ask those Europeans who’s Union we are about to leave with or without a trading deal to help us out. Anyway, all jokes aside the recent actions by Iran in the tit for tat impounding of a UK flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has highlighted the need to do something and the military budget cuts mean that the UK can no longer manage this single-handedly.
The Straight of Hormuz is a shipping bottleneck.
Image:lavizzara/Shutterstock
President Trump has been bandying around a similar suggestion for a few weeks now, however, the interest has been low as most to be perceived to join a US-led coalition against Iran especially while a glimmer of hope exists re reviving the 2015 Nuclear agreement.
The idea is of benefit to both parties as currently, the UK is in a bilateral confrontation with Tehran and running to the Us for help would both inflame the tensions and make the UK look like America’s lapdog. It could also be seen as a snub by the EU not something you want when you are looking to renegotiate a trade deal in your favour.
From Europe’s viewpoint, this would also be more attractive as a joint effort with a current member would be less provoking than signing up with President Trump, a consideration given that Iran may have missiles capable of hitting parts of Europe. If as Iran alleges the impounding of the tanker was due to a collision with a fishing boat then this could all blow over quite quickly, however, if it is part of a more nefarious strategy then this idea needs to be developed into a working plan, at least while the Uk rebuilds its naval fleet.
