British warship HMS Dragon heads toward Middle East

The British Defence Ministry said the decision means that the ship can contribute immediately, if necessary, to a future mission to protect freedom of navigation through the waterway.

She added that any plan would be strictly protective and aimed at restoring confidence for commercial transport.

In March, the key-breaking “45-type” was deployed to protect British air bases in Cyprus following a frightened attack on RAF Akrotiri.

But the ship took six days to leave Portsmouth and was then forced to dock for maintenance after arriving in Cyprus - less than a month after his departure.

The Defence Ministry said after today's announcement that Cyprus would remain well protected “, even without HMS Dragon, and that the United Kingdom's defence capabilities on the island had been strengthened since January.

Otherwise, the UK and France are leading international efforts to coordinate a military plan to escort ships through the Strait when conditions allow, reports Telegraph, broadcast Periscope.

In April, military planners from 44 countries met in the United Kingdom to discuss possible options.

Earlier this week, the French Armed Forces confirmed that their aircraft group Charles de Gaulle had crossed the Suez Canal, heading for the Red Sea. /Periscope