UK deploys nuclear submarine in Arabian Sea as Iran tensions escalate

Britain has deployed a nuclear-powered submarine in the Arabian Sea, amid the escalating tensions in West Asia, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday. According to the report, the HMS Anson, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, is supposedly taking up position in the northern Arabian Sea.

The deployment and placing of submarine will be a backing for the UK to launch strikes on Iran in case the scale of the conflict increases drastically.

Starmer modified his decision 

The British government on Friday authorised the US military to use bases in Britain to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites that are raging the conflict and attacking ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not allow the US to carry out missiles to hit Iranian sites, saying he needed to be satisfied that any military action was legal, but later after Iran struck British allies across West Asia, Starmer modified his decision.

The UK said that US could use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean to strike down Iranian missile sites.

HMS Anson departed from Perth

HMS Anson departed from Perth, Australia on March 6, according to a Daily Mail report. The submarine surfaces every 24 hours to establish communication with the Permanent Joint Headquarters in London, the report added.

Before firing, an order will be authorised by Starmer according to the defence sources cited by the British outlet.

Iran targeted Island in Indian Ocean

Iran targeted Diego Garcia , an Island in the Indian Ocean which is about 2,500 miles away. Although neither of the Iranian missiles struck the island , the attempt indicates Tehran may possess longer-range capabilities than previously acknowledged, or may have adapted a space launch vehicle for use as a makeshift long-range strike system.

Reuters stated that the attack took place before the government gave specific authorisation for the US to use British military bases for strikes on Iran’s missile sites.

“These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals — Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

Trump urged Iran to fully open Strait of Hormuz

In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged Iran to guarantee free and safe passage through the strategic route , which has faced disruptions since the escalation of hostilities involving the US, Israel, and Iran’s counterattacks.

“If Iran doesn’t fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first,” he said.