European Countries To Send Naval Warships For Protecting Shipping In The Red Sea

European countries have joined hands to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea as the US-Iran war entered its sixth day, widening beyond the Gulf to the Mediterranean, where a drone struck a British Air Base in Cyprus and as far as Asia.

Spain, Italy, France and the Netherlands will deploy their naval ships to protect Cyprus, Rome’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with the prime ministers of Italy and Greece, and they agreed to cooperate to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea and to coordinate the deployment of military and naval assets to Cyprus.

The countries have made it clear that they do not want to be involved in the war; however, they want to protect their citizens and interests.

Britain will deploy a destroyer in the region and helicopters equipped with counter‑drone capabilities, though HMS Dragon will only reach there by next week.

The UK did not join the war but has been a part of operations involving the interception of Iranian drones, and the British government has also allowed the U.S to launch limited defence actions from some British bases.

Per Western officials, a drone which hit the Akrotiri base in Cyprus was likely launched by the Iran-backed Hezbollah from Lebanon.

Both the British and Cypriot governments have said that the island will not be used to attack Iran.

Spain, which has refrained from involvement in any operations, said that it will also deploy
Christopher Columbus frigate in Cyprus, and it will assist its Patriot missile interceptor system deployed in Turkey.

Paris has also allowed U.S aircraft to land at some air bases in France, if they do not take part in operations against Iran.

The deal does not cover French bases in the Middle East.

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