Iran warns France, UK of ‘immediate response’ to any Hormuz deployment

Iran warned Britain and France on Sunday that its armed forces would launch “a decisive and immediate response” to any warships being sent to the Strait of Hormuz, after London dispatched a vessel to the region.

“We remind them that both in times of war and in times of peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and it will not allow any country to interfere in such matters,” Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X.

Britain and France are leading efforts to create an international coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK defence ministry announced on Saturday that it would send a destroyer to the Middle East, arguing that this would strengthen confidence among commercial shipping and support mine-clearing efforts once hostilities end.

“The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure…