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<p>The shipping industry is understandably concerned about recent regional tensions
and attacks on international shipping in the Persian Gulf. These events culminated
in Iran's illegal seizure of the Stena Impero, a UK-flagged tanker, on 19 July.</p><p>It
is vital to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation and ensure that merchant
shipping can pass through the Gulf safely. That begins with clear information flows
between Government and the shipping industry. The Department for Transport (DfT) regularly
reviews threats and reporting worldwide and issues the most up to date advice available
to operators to assist with their risk assessments, to enable their safety while travelling
overseas.</p><p>In late July, following the illegal seizure of the Stena Impero, the
Royal Navy began to accompany British-flagged ships in the region to provide reassurance
to the shipping industry. In parallel, we have been talking to allies and partners
about the threat to international shipping in the region. On 5 August, the Government
announced its decision to join an international maritime security construct in the
Gulf, focused on freedom of navigation and restoring safe passage for shipping. The
mission involves the Royal Navy working with international partners to accompany merchant
vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, building on existing cooperation which has seen
Royal Navy vessels accompany 50 merchant ships through the Strait since 24 July.</p><p>Our
participation in this construct is focused entirely on the issue of reassuring the
shipping industry and deterring further attacks. The Government has not changed its
wider policy towards Iran. We remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA), which is the best way to prevent a nuclear armed Iran. We are not
part of the US maximum pressure campaign and have no wish to escalate tensions with
Iran, but we also have to ensure that international law and rules are upheld and respected.</p>
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