5 January

Britain says it will escort UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz after the United States killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement on Saturday that he had ordered two naval vessels to prepare for escort duties for ships through the major oil shipping route. Wallace said he had spoken to US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and urged all parties to engage to de-escalate the situation.

He said that US forces in Iraq have been repeatedly attacked by Iran during the last few months and that Soleimani headed the operations. Wallace added that under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to its citizens.

British naval vessels last year escorted UK ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker in the strait.

—NHK