UK Deploys Air Defense to Gulf to Counter Iran
Britain is deploying short-range air defense systems to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia to counter Iranian missile attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced. The UK is distributing Rapid Sentry anti-drone systems to Gulf partners, including Kuwait, where the system has proven effective against drones. A British warship, HMS Dragon, has arrived in Cyprus to defend the Akrotiri base following criticism of the UK's response to a drone attack. The UK has increased its military presence in the region, with more jets than in the last 15 years, and pilots have flown nearly 900 hours defending Cyprus, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. The UK is allowing US use of its Diego Garcia and Fairford bases for strikes against Iranian missile sites. While Iran launched missiles at Diego Garcia without success, the UK insists it has resources to protect itself and the region. This deployment aims to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, to ensure commercial ships move freely.