Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon toward West Asia as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate. The move comes as the UK and France discuss a possible multinational naval mission aimed at protecting global shipping routes through one of the world’s most critical trade corridors. France has already dispatched the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the region, while Iran has warned London and Paris that sending “extra-regional destroyers” could further escalate the crisis.  

Donald Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House for a high-profile state visit marked by military honours and strategic messaging. Trump emphasized the “centuries-old bond” between the United States and the United Kingdom, calling Britain America’s closest ally. The visit comes at a sensitive time, with tensions rising over the Iran conflict and broader geopolitical divisions. The US President also made personal remarks referencing his Scottish roots and his mother’s admiration for the royal family, including a comment about King Charles as a young prince.