[ad_1]
Britain’s Special Boat Service (SBS) has been placed on high alert as over 2,500 US Marines head to the Gulf amid concerns that the conflict with Iran could escalate into a ground war.
The Marine Expeditionary Unit, equipped with tanks, artillery, and fighter jets, is prepared to capture Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz if ordered by President Donald Trump.
Defence sources informed the Daily Star Sunday that the SBS could play a vital role in reconnaissance and planning for any potential amphibious assault.
“The SBS has a unique capability when it comes to underwater operations,” said one source. “They can assist the US in planning any invasion, offering advice and conducting reconnaissance alongside US Navy SEALs.”
Read more related news:
Israel warns Iran’s missiles ‘could hit London’
The world is ‘dealing with an enormous supply shock’ as oil soars
SBS combat divers are experts in sabotage operations, which include placing mines on enemy vessels and infiltrating hostile harbours using swimmer delivery vehicles to scout beaches and critical infrastructure.
The heightened alert follows criticism from Iran directed at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for allowing US forces to use RAF bases for strikes, warning that British lives could be at risk.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X: “By ignoring his own people, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by permitting UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
President Trump has criticised the UK for the speed of its authorisation, claiming on Friday that London “should have acted a lot faster” in permitting the US to use RAF facilities.
He also emphasised that the Strait of Hormuz – through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil flows – must ultimately be “guarded and policed” by its users.
“The United States does not!” he added, asserting that the operation would be “easy” once Iran’s threat is neutralised.
British forces are already supporting regional air defences, with RAF jets conducting sorties to intercept Iranian drones and missiles over the Gulf. Defence experts indicate that the SBS’s extensive knowledge of the region makes them a crucial asset if US troops move to seize territory or critical energy infrastructure.
The deployment of US Marines, along with Iran’s threats and escalating attacks on energy facilities, highlights the increasing risk of a major confrontation in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions.
[ad_2]
Source link
