Warning encounters: British strategy towards Iran

Ayat Ezz

Recently, a state of tension was witnessed between international and regional powers in the Arabian Gulf region by Tehran targeting Saudi, Emirati and Omani oil tankers. These violations were followed by the interception of a British oil tanker by three ships while it passing from the navigational corridor of Strait of Hormuz, but they withdrew as warnings from the British Royal Navy intensified. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard denied any conflict in the Strait.

Through this hostile policy, Tehran is targeting Western, regional and especially oil-dependent countries in order to harm them and spread a condition of instability in the region, which will affect the energy markets and lead to higher prices as a result of increased insurance rates on shipping. This pressure policy is aimed at indirectly threatening oil consuming countries in Europe that could lose because of economic pressures imposed by the White House.

British deterrent to Tehran

The United Kingdom has raised the security level of British vessels in the Arabian Gulf to the highest threat level, which means there is an imminent threat of an attack on a UK ship, in accordance to the International Security Law of Ships and Ports Facility.

After completing a training course with NATO forces in the Black Sea, the destroyer HMS Duncan will be sent to support the frigate HMS Montrose, which operates in the Arabian Gulf, and it will undergo maintenance and a crew change to support the free navigation of ships passing through vital shipping corridor.

It is worth mentioning that Britain will not participate in the global maritime alliance proposed by the US, but the British Ministry of Defense said the deployment of HMS Duncan would help ensure and protect British tankers in the Gulf region, where there are more than 15 British carriers.

These procedures coincide with the growing Iranian threat to British ships and the Iranian regime in Tehran seeking to retaliate against the UK after British Royal Marines seized an Iranian tanker, Grace 1, off Gibraltar, a British territory on the southern tip of Spain.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed that Britain does not want an escalation against Tehran and would not provoke a conflict, adding, however that the UK has the right to protect vital shipping routes from any potential threat. He also said there is the possibility of releasing the Iranian tanker once there are sufficient guarantees obtained that it is not heading for Syria.

On the other hand, Tehran denied that the tanker was heading to Syria and promised the United Kingdom there would be possible consequences for these actions, demanding the British Navy release the Iranian oil tanker.

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Abbas Mousavi, clarified that the detention of the tanker is a form of piracy and described it as being an “illegal detention”, saying that the UK is adopting the same hostile policies pursued by Washington, which is unacceptable.

It is important to note that although the European countries have not withdrawn from the nuclear agreement like the United States and have not adopted a policy of sanctions against Tehran, there are sanctions already imposed by the EU aimed at preventing the sale of oil to Iran’s ally Syria.

American approach to Iranian excesses

Since President Donald Trump took office, the US administration has turned its back on the nuclear deal, reinstating sanctions policies on Iranian oil exports and exacerbating domestic economic conditions in the country.

Accordingly, Tehran has begun to follow hostile offensive policies through a number of provocative acts, including attacking oil tankers in the Gulf, as well as the re-enrichment of uranium beyond the limit set out in the 2015 nuclear agreement.

The US administration has expressed its desire to form a maritime coalition to escort ships in the region, and it has already dispatched some military forces to the region to secure international trade and navigation routes from any potential threat. Thousands of troops, aircraft carriers, B-52 bombers with nuclear capability and advanced fighter jets were sent to the Middle East, which led to controversy over the possibility of escalating the conflict between Tehran and international forces after repeated attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, as well as attacks by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabia and the downing of a US military drone.

On the other hand, the Iranian leadership has indicated its desire to open negotiations to avoid a clash with Washington through European mediation led by French President Emmanuel Macron, explaining its desire to negotiate sanctions in exchange for its commitment to the terms of the nuclear agreement.

UK’s strategy for confrontation

The British leadership is pursuing a more balanced policy with Tehran, especially with regard to its hostile policies, while rejecting military escalation, as the diplomatic and political solution will remain the focus of any possible future tensions.

With regard to the trade movement of international corridors, especially oil tankers, the British government has indicated its desire to ensure that shipping routes are safe from any threat while protecting maritime security in the Gulf region.

Redeployment of British troops in the region was not the result of the moment, but was planned in advance. The UK also has more than 1,500 permanently stationed personnel in the region, along with many Royal Navy vessels and some more sophisticated military aircraft.

In this context, London has announced its willingness to hold joint talks with the United States on re-positioning.