Source: Telegraph
Britain, America and France delivered a pointed signal to Iran, sending six warships led by a 100,000 ton aircraft carrier through the highly sensitive waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
All three countries retain a permanent military presence in the Gulf, but a joint passage through the Strait of Hormuz by all of their respective navies is highly unusual. The flotilla will have passed within a few miles of the Iranian coastline.
A western official denied this was a provocative move intended to increase the pressure on Iran. The goal was simply to “illustrate international resolve” to guarantee free movement of shipping through a vital artery of the world economy, he said.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that “HMS Argyll and a French vessel joined a US carrier group transiting through the Strait of Hormuz to underline the unwavering international commitment to maintaining rights of passage under international law.”
The spokesman added that Britain maintains a “constant presence in the region as part of our enduring contribution to Gulf security”. Royal Navy warships have been patrolling the region continuously since 1980.
Abraham Lincoln’s entry into the Gulf came in defiance of an explicit warning from Iran. Earlier this month, General Ataollah Salehi, commander of the country’s armed forces, threatened to respond with “full force” if any US carrier ventured into the region’s waters. “We don’t have the intention of repeating our warning, and we warn only once,” he said.
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