Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister has issued a stern threat regarding the possible deployment of British and French warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Any deployment and stationing of destroyers around the Strait of Hormuz, under the pretext of 'protecting ships', is nothing more than an escalation of the crisis," he said on social media.
"The presence of French and British warships in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially accompanying illegal and internationally unlawful US actions, will be met with an immediate and decisive response."
The UK Ministry of Defence said on Saturday it was deploying its warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a possible multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, once the conditions are right.
The warning comes at a time when Britain and France are involved in plans to set in motion maritime transport through this crucial waterway.
