Britain says it has joined the United States in a new maritime security mission to protect vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace made the announcement in a statement on Monday.
He said, "We look forward to working alongside the US and others to find an international solution to the problems."
UK media report say that Britain is the first country to join the US-led mission.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, "It is vital to secure the freedom for all international shipping to navigate the Strait of Hormuz without delay, given the increased threat."
He added, "We remain committed to working with Iran and our international partners to de-escalate the situation and maintain the nuclear deal."
Last month, Raab's predecessor Jeremy Hunt proposed a European-led initiative to protect international vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Observers say Britain joining the US mission is a clear indication of a shift toward Washington under new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
NHK
