UK exploring additional Gulf deployments after minehunter withdrawal

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - Britain is exploring additional options for deployments to the Gulf after Iran stepped up attacks on ​vessels, defence minister John Healey said on Thursday, ‌adding that the UK already has autonomous mine hunting systems in the region.

The Royal Navy (RN) said last week its last minehunter ​HMS Middleton, which was based in Bahrain, had ​arrived back in Britain on March 1. The vessel, ⁠which was more than 40 years old, was ​no longer certified to sail, it said.

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“We do have some ​autonomous mine hunting systems already in the region,” Healey said. “There are additional options we’re starting to consider that we could deploy alongside ​allies.”

Iran has deployed about a dozen mines, opens new tab in the Strait ​of Hormuz, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on ‌Wednesday, ⁠in a move likely to complicate any reopening of the narrow waterway, an important route for shipping oil and LNG.

The U.S. military says it has targeted Iranian mine-laying ​vessels, eliminating 16 ​of them ⁠on Tuesday.

Two tankers were ablaze in an Iraqi port on Thursday after a hit by ​suspected Iranian explosive-laden boats. Hours earlier, three ​other ships ⁠had been struck in the Gulf. Healey described the situation as a “major escalation from Iran”.

“It is a breach of ⁠international ​law,” Healey said. “It’s a very serious ​situation that is having an impact on oil prices and the cost ​of living for everyone.”

Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Kate Holton

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