Britain commits naval and air assets to Hormuz defensive mission

The Iran war has sharply curtailed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil exports and sending energy prices higher. About a fifth of the world's oil passes through the strait.

Britain's contribution will be backed by £115 million ($155.53 million) of new funding for mine-hunting drones and counter-drone systems, as London seeks to reassure commercial shipping of its commitment to freedom of navigation amid heightened regional tensions.

The package will include autonomous systems to detect and clear naval mines, high-speed drone boats, Typhoon jets for air patrols and HMS Dragon, an air defence destroyer that is already on its way to the Middle East.

Britain already has more than 1,000 personnel deployed in the region as part of existing defensive operations, including counter-drone teams and fast jet squadrons.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, editing by William James)