HUNT: IRAN GUILTY OF STATE PIRACY

He sends in helicopters to protect our tankers – with Navy on alert

JEREMY Hunt accused Iran of ‘ state piracy’ last night as he unveiled measures to protect ships in the Gulf.

The Foreign Secretary said a task force of EU vessels equipped with helicopters would maintain a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

British-flagged vessels will also be asked to give the Royal Navy 48 hours’ notice before they sail through the narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, he told MPs.

Under the proposals, ships could be sent in convoy to reduce the risk of them being captured by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

But the move could be viewed as a snub to the US, which asked Britain to join a similar force just weeks ago.

It also follows a subsequent warning from Washington that it would not come to Britain’s aid in the Gulf in a sign of disagreement over how Iran should be tackled. Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, said that ‘the responsibility… falls to the United Kingdom to take care of their ship’ when asked about a possible US role.

Tensions spiralled after Friday’s capture of the Stena Impero tanker when Iranian troops landed on its deck from a helicopter.

Mr Hunt’s proposals came after Prime Minister Theresa May led a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee to discuss the crisis.

He said: ‘Under international law Iran had no right to obstruct the ship’s passage, let alone board her. It was therefore an act of state piracy.

‘It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing this increased international presence in the Gulf, because the focus of our diplomacy has been on de-escalating tensions in the hope that such changes would not be necessary.

‘If Iran continues on this dangerous path, they must accept the price will be a larger Western military presence in the waters along their coastline – not because we wish to increase tensions but simply because freedom of navigation is a principle which Britain and its allies will always defend.’

Mr Hunt discussed the proposal for a European maritime mission with his French and German counterparts on Sunday and their response was said to be ‘positive’.

The first step will be the arrival of HMS Duncan, which is expected to arrive in the region by June 29, to join HMS Montrose.

Crucially, it will be a separate effort from the one proposed by the US, which aims to see a ‘coalition of navies’ co- ordinating to protect ships in the Gulf.

Sources said the UK was keen to avoid signing up to the US policy of ‘maximum pressure’ on Tehran, choosing to try to de-escalate the crisis instead.

It is understood that eight UK-flagged vessels are waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after Britain raised the threat level for ships sailing in the region.

Politicians warned of a looming conflict with Iran, whose economy has been crippled by US sanctions imposed after Donald Trump axed a nuclear deal signed with his predecessor Barack Obama.

Iran captured the Stena Impero on Friday after Royal Marines seized the Iranian vessel Grace 1, which was believed to be bound for Syria. The UK stepped in after Spain allegedly denied a request from Washington to seize the Grace 1, despite British reservations that it would escalate already heightened tensions. Labour MP Dr Rupa Huqa described the crisis as a ‘ dangerous real-life game of battleships.’

Ministers had been accused of ‘dropping the ball’ by failing to protect shipping after Iran vowed revenge for the capture of the Grace 1. But defending his decision not to do more to protect shipping in the region, Mr Hunt said too big a presence would have been like giving ‘red rag to a bull’.

He also repeated his calls for more money for the Ministry of Defence, warning that the ‘Navy has become too small’. He said that HMS Montrose had been forced to act alone, escorting 30 merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.

It was only alerted to the Stena Impero’s passage 60 minutes in advance and could not get to the distressed tanker in time.

Sources said the EU task force would work with the Americans, and the UK still had the option to join a US-led force in future.