A British nuclear-powered submarine, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, has positioned itself in the Arabian Sea, providing Britain with the ability to launch long-range attacks should the regional conflict escalate, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday.
HMS Anson, armed with Tomahawk Block IV missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, left Perth earlier this month and traveled approximately 8,900 km to the region, the Daily Mail specified, writes Reuters.
The submarine periodically surfaces to communicate with the United Kingdom’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, where any launch order would be authorized by the Prime Minister and transmitted by the head of joint operations, the report adds.
The deployment comes after Downing Street authorized the US to use British bases for strikes on Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz.
The decision comes amid a rapid escalation of the conflict. Following strikes launched by Washington and Tel Aviv targeting Iranian military capabilities, including armed forces sites, Tehran retaliated with missiles and drones against American military bases and Gulf countries, causing international concern.