BFF-38 Britain says planning European-led protection force in Gulf

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Britain says planning European-led protection force in Gulf

LONDON, July 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Monday said the UK wanted to establish a European-led maritime protection force for the Gulf but emphasised that London was not seeking a confrontation with Iran.

“We will now seek to put together a European-led maritime protection mission to support the safe passage of both crew and cargo in this vital region,” Hunt told parliament after Iranian authorities seized a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf on Friday.

BSS/AFP/MMA/0000HRS