Is Britain moving toward involvement in the war against Iran?
The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson represents one of the most advanced military capabilities of the United Kingdom. It is armed with Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and heavy Spearfish torpedoes.
According to The Telegraph, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may send thousands of interceptor drones to the Middle East. Military officials are currently examining whether the “Octopus” interceptor drone system, manufactured in the United Kingdom for use by Ukraine against Russia, could also be deployed to strengthen British defenses against Iranian Shahed drones.
Sources also indicated the possibility of sending the United Kingdom’s only nuclear-powered attack submarine, HMS Anson, toward the Strait of Hormuz.
Former Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told The Telegraph: “If our attack submarine HMS Anson is in the region, Iran can be deterred with a Tomahawk cruise missile.”
Government sources declined to comment on whether the submarine, which departed from Australia earlier this week, is heading toward the Middle East. However, the newspaper The Australian reported that it had indeed left port.
Local reports stated that the submarine had departed its harbor, while an Australian government spokesperson told the newspaper: “The submarine HMS Anson has successfully completed all scheduled maintenance work.”
According to the Royal Navy’s official website, HMS Anson stands “at the forefront of the United Kingdom’s military capabilities.” It is equipped with Tomahawk missiles for land attacks and heavy Spearfish torpedoes, consistent with its role as an attack submarine.
The site also notes that the nuclear reactor aboard HMS Anson does not require refueling during its 25-year service life. Its ability to purify water and air independently means that its range is limited only by the amount of food carried on board. As a result, it is capable of circumnavigating the globe without needing to surface.
These developments come amid rising security tensions in the region, with London focusing on protecting British interests and allies from potential attacks targeting vital infrastructure or strategic energy routes.
Drone attacks against the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus and against British special forces in Erbil, Iraq, have exposed the vulnerability of British military bases to inexpensive, mass-produced Iranian drones.
In response, Keir Starmer quickly ordered the deployment of a warship to Cyprus following the attack on the British military base at Akrotiri, similar to France, which also sent reinforcements. The British warship Dragon is expected to arrive in the eastern Mediterranean early next week.
Dragon is a Type 45 air-defense destroyer equipped with the Sea Viper missile system and an advanced radar designed to track and neutralize aerial threats.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for limiting British military support for strikes on Iran, creating tensions in the relationship between the two historically close military allies.
Starmer allowed the United States to use British bases for defensive actions, but he stated that he would not approve British participation in offensive operations unless he was certain they were legal and part of a clearly defined plan.
Facing criticism over the apparent lack of planning for a potential war — with the United States expected by some to conduct strikes against Iran for months — Starmer revealed last week that military assets, including anti-drone helicopters, had been pre-positioned in the Middle East before the initial U.S.-Israeli attacks.
