Overview
- Media reports citing military sources place the Royal Navy’s HMS Anson in the northern Arabian Sea, a deployment the Ministry of Defence would not confirm.
- HMS Anson is described as carrying Tomahawk land-attack missiles with roughly 1,000-mile range and Spearfish torpedoes, enabling potential long-range strikes if ordered.
- The submarine left Perth on March 6 and has reportedly traveled about 5,500 miles to take up position in deeper waters.
- Downing Street said Prime Minister Keir Starmer expanded permission for US forces to use British bases to strike Iranian sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, shifting from a defensive-only policy.
- Reporting says any launch orders would flow through the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, with Lt Gen Nick Perry executing if authorized by the prime minister, and the boat maintaining daily brief communications near the surface.