A British nuclear-powered submarine armed with cruise missiles has been deployed to the Arabian Sea, potentially giving the UK the ability to carry out long-range strikes if regional tensions escalate, the Daily Mail reported.
The report said HMS Anson, equipped with Tomahawk Block IV missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, travelled about 5,500 miles to the region after leaving Perth earlier this month.
Reuters could not independently verify the report. The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented.
According to the report, the submarine surfaces periodically to communicate with command headquarters in Northwood, with any strike requiring authorisation from the prime minister.
The reported deployment follows Britain’s approval for the United States to use its bases for strikes on Iranian targets linked to threats around the Strait of Hormuz.
