HMS Duncan heads to the Gulf as tensions with Iran flare

A ROYAL Navy destroyer has been dispatched to the Gulf days after a British frigate chased off Iranian troops as they tried to storm an oil tanker.
Tom Cotterill
By Tom Cotterill
Published 11th Jul 2019, 12:50 BST
Updated 12th Jul 2019, 21:10 BST
HMS Duncan is heading to the Gulf as tensions with Iran flare. Photo: LPhot Paul HallHMS Duncan is heading to the Gulf as tensions with Iran flare. Photo: LPhot Paul Hall
HMS Duncan is heading to the Gulf as tensions with Iran flare. Photo: LPhot Paul Hall

Portsmouth-based HMS Duncan will patrol the bust shipping lane as UK flagged vessels were put on the highest security alert over fears of retaliation from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

The news of the deployment comes as Iran yesterday warned Britain was ‘playing a dangerous game’ over the seizure of a BP oil tanker in Gibraltar last week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The £1bn guided missile destroyer will join Plymouth-based HMS Montrose and US allies in the region to defend shipping as tensions continue to flare.

Duncan is one of six destroyers based in Portsmouth. Last year the ship, and her 280 crew, faced down an armada of Russian fighter-jets in the Black Sea.

Related topics:Royal NavyIranPortsmouthGibraltar

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.