The surface vessels would be offered in addition to U.K. autonomous minehunting systems, and the forward deployment of the warship HMS Dragon, a Type-45 Destroyer.
Healey offered Starmer his backing as dozens of Labour MPs called on the PM to quit, posting on X: “People are worried about current conflicts and looming global crises. They expect their government to lead the country through, as the PM is doing. More instability is not in Britain’s interest. Our full focus now must be on dealing with immediate economic [and] security challenges.”
Starmer declined to discuss his own future at a meeting of his Cabinet earlier Tuesday, instead focusing on the ongoing fallout of the war in Iran.
A Downing Street spokesperson said ministers had “agreed that number one priority remains getting the Strait of Hormuz open again, so that international shipping can resume.”
However, Britain’s offer to assist in the crucial shipping lane rests on the idea of a durable ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump has described as “unbelievably weak.”
Iran set out its demands to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a counteroffer sent to the U.S. on Sunday. Trump rejected the proposal, calling it “totally unacceptable” and a “piece of garbage.”