UK: Europe-Led Mission Will Protect Vital Shipping In Gulf

(Associated Press) GREGORY KATZ July 22 2019 LONDON Britain announced plans Monday to develop and deploy a Europe-led maritime protection mission" to safeguard shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz in light of Irans seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the waterway last week. Briefing Parliament on the budding crisis Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt accused Iran of an act of state piracy" that must be met with a coordinated international reaction. Iranian officials have suggested the Stena Impero was seized and taken to an Iranian port in response to Britains role in seizing an Iranian oil tanker two weeks earlier off the coast of Gibraltar a British overseas territory located on the southern tip of Spain. Hunt announced precious few details of the proposed protection mission but said Britains European allies will play a major role in keeping shipping lanes open. One-fifth of all global crude exports passes through the narrow strait between Iran and Oman. The foreign secretary said Iran must understand that its actions will only lead to a bigger Western military footprint in the region. It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing this increased international presence in the Gulf because the focus of our diplomacy has been on de-escalating tensions in the hope that such changes would not be necessary" Hunt said.