BBC World reports: Both sides this week have accused the other of launching attacks in the strait. HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers purpose built for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare and is of Britain's most advanced warships. It will be the first Royal Navy ship sent to the Middle East since the start of the Iran war in late February and follows the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which transited the Suez Canal earlier this week.Another British ship, RFA Lyme Bay, is still being kitted out with autonomous mine hunting equipment ahead of a potential deployment.HMS Dragon has recently been in the eastern Mediterranean as part of the UK's defensive operations there.
He has previously said the UK would not support a US blockade of Iranian ports, which is still in place.The MoD added: "Cyprus remains well defended, as we've bolstered the significant defensive capabilities we had already pre-deployed to the region since January."HMS Dragon had to be docked shortly after arriving at Cyprus after experiencing what the MoD called a "minor technical issue". At the time, the UK government faced accusations of not responding to the conflict in the Middle East quickly enough.Iran accuses US of 'reckless military adventure'Bowen: Strait of Hormuz standoff raises risk of sliding back into all-out warBritish Armed ForcesRoyal NavyMinistry of Defence
Originally reported by BBC World. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
