Britain is to dispatch its most advanced warship to the Gulf after Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz if further sanctions were imposed on the Islamic Republic.

Britain is to dispatch its most advanced warship to the Gulf after Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz if further sanctions were imposed on the Islamic Republic.

The British Defense Ministry stated Saturday that “the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring, which has a stealth design to help avoid detection by radar, is to join other British ships in the region.”

AFP quoted Defense Secretary Philip Hammond as saying that “in a visit to Washington this week, both Britain and the United States would ensure that their response to any provocation will be very measured.

“What we cannot answer for is whether there is a plan on the other side to escalate," he added.

In parallel, a Ministry of Defense spokesman in London said: "The Royal Navy has had a continuous presence East of Suez for many years, including the Armilla patrol and its successors since 1980.”

“While the newly operational Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring is more capable than earlier ships, her deployment East of Suez has been long planned, is entirely routine and replaces a frigate on station,” he further clarified.