A nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine has arrived in the northern Arabian Sea, placing Iran within the range of British Tomahawk missiles amid the escalating conflict between the US and Iran.
HMS Anson, an Astute-class vessel typically based at Faslane, Scotland, departed from Perth, Australia, on March 6 and has travelled 5,500 miles to position itself in deep waters off the coast of Iran.
The submarine is armed with Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles, which can strike targets up to 1,000 miles away, as well as Spearfish torpedoes.
Defence sources have confirmed that the vessel is prepared to launch strikes if tensions escalate, with firing orders issued by London’s Permanent Joint Headquarters and requiring authorisation from the Prime Minister, GB News reported.
“Anson will be quietly lurking. The Prime Minister and Commander Maritime Operations will be told where she is,” a source said.
Unlike traditional submarines, Anson employs a digital display system instead of a periscope for surface observation. Its nuclear reactor allows continuous operation for over 25 years without refuelling, and its advanced life-support systems enable the crew to travel globally without surfacing.
A source said: “If necessary, she will be running silently, so no showers, no flushing loos and many men washing in one sink of water.
“It gets very smelly.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We won’t provide running detail on specific operations or deployments.”
This deployment coincides with Donald Trump issuing a 48-hour countdown to “obliterate” Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
In response, Iran has conducted missile strikes on Israeli cities, while the strait—a critical route for approximately one-fifth of global oil and LNG—remains largely closed.
The blockade has resulted in Brent crude prices surging to $112 per barrel and jet fuel exceeding $200 per barrel, raising concerns about a potential energy crisis in the UK and reigniting inflation worries.
Economists warn that households could face £ 100-per-month mortgage increases, and that a prolonged conflict could push the UK into recession.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has issued a global terror warning, urging UK citizens to exercise caution in regions affected by the conflict, as the government continues defensive operations to protect British bases and personnel in the Gulf.
