Iran threatens HMS Dragon with 'decisive response' as UK warship heads towards Strait of Hormuz

Iran has threatened HMS Dragon with a “decisive and immediate response” as the British warship steams towards the Strait of Hormuz amid a fragile ceasefire between the Islamic Republic and the United States.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted a lengthy post on X in which he “strongly advised” the UK and allies to stay away from the vital waterway.

The Islamic Republic’s threat comes as the British Type 45 destroyer was dispatched from its emergency posting in Cyprus to the Middle East.

Its mission was described by the Ministry of Defence as “strictly defensive and independent”, as part of a multinational effort led by the UK and France to reopen the Strait.

Mr Gharibabadi wrote: “It is emphasised that the presence of French and British warships, or those of any other country potentially accompanying the illegal and internationally unlawful actions of the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, will be met with a decisive and immediate response from the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Therefore, they are strongly advised not to complicate the situation further.”

“We remind them that, whether in times of war or peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and will not allow any country to interfere in such matters,” the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister penned.

“Any deployment and stationing of extra-regional destroyers around the Strait of Hormuz, under the pretext of ‘protecting shipping,’ is nothing but an escalation of the crisis, the militarisation of a vital waterway, and an attempt to cover up the true root of insecurity in the region.

“Maritime security cannot be ensured through displays of military power, especially not by actors who, through their support, participation, or silence in the face of aggression and siege, are themselves part of the problems.

“The source of insecurity in the region lies in the illegal resort to force, the ongoing threats against coastal states, maritime sieges, and disregard for the United Nations Charter,” the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister claimed.

Since the beginning of hostilities between Iran and the United States and its allies, trade through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt.

One-fifth of the globe’s oil and gas passes through the vital waterway, which is now also subject to a US Navy blockade.

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“The Strait of Hormuz is not the common property of extra-regional powers,” Mr Gharibabadi insisted.

“It is a sensitive waterway adjacent to coastal states, and the exercise of sovereignty by the Islamic Republic of Iran over this strait and the determination of its legal arrangements is Iran's right as a coastal state,” he stressed.

Britain and France, along with dozens of other countries, are calling for an “unconditional, unrestricted and immediate reopening” of the Strait.

As such, HMS Dragon is heading for the Middle East to “pre-position” itself ahead of a “potential role” in securing the waterway.

RFA Lyme Bay is also being fitted with mine-hunting equipment to help clear the Strait, which has been booby-trapped by the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s threat arrives as its ceasefire agreement with the United States appears more fragile than ever.

In the past week, the US has executed bombing raids on coastal areas of Iran after Tehran fired upon American warships and the Gulf states.

Despite the exchange, President Donald Trump has insisted the ceasefire remains in place and that the strikes were merely a “love tap”.

Last week, President Trump paused the short-lived US military operation, dubbed Project Freedom, to "guide" ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz by the conflict safely out of the vital waterway.

On Tuesday night, the US leader wrote on his Truth Social platform that the decision was "based on the request of Pakistan and other countries" and "the tremendous military success that we have had during the campaign".

He added: "Additionally, the fact that great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be finalised and signed."