LONDON: The United Kingdom is considering deploying British drones to the Gulf amid tensions with Iran, Sky News reported early on Monday.
UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) has a number of Reaper drones based in nearby Kuwait and flying over Iraq and Syria. These could be re-tasked if the decision to deploy drones to the Gulf is taken, Sky News said.
The drones will help with overhead surveillance as British warships are continuing to escort UK-flagged tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.
On Friday, the UK called for broad support to tackle Gulf shipping threats after Iran seized a British-flagged oil tanker in the strait in July and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
The captain of a Royal Navy warship based in the Gulf said his vessel has faced more than 100 confrontations Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps since the start of July, The Times reported Monday.
Commander Will King, 41, said Iran had “heavily” tested HMS Montrose almost daily, using fast attack craft boats and drones to for intimidation.
