2019
May: Two SBS teams have joined UK registered oil tankers transiting in the Persian Gulf south through the Strait of Hormuz, where they will be tasked with monitoring Iranian activity around the island of Qeshm (Iranian territory) – home to Iranian naval gunboats. Both teams will collate information as the ships move south through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf of Oman, where it is understood they will be airlifted off by Royal Navy Merlin helicopters operating out of Oman.
Brit military source, speaking to Sunday Express: “This is a waterway where 80 per cent of the UK gas and much of our oil passes from the Gulf to Europe.” (Express)
2021
August: UK special forces were deployed to the Arabian Sea in anticipation for a potential strike mission against the perpetrators an Iranian-backed terrorist organisation purportedly responsible for the attack an Israeli-operated tanker that left two dead (including one British citizen). Special forces were also operating alongside regular troops to assist with training of local troops in the region (Mirror)