Iran's Navy intercepts British destroyer in Indian Ocean as Starmer moves military assets to West Asia

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The Iranian Navy claimed that it intercepted a British destroyer in the northern Indian Ocean meant to help guide Israeli missiles toward Iranian territory as tensions in West Asia escalate read more
Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, the Iranian Navy intercepted a British destroyer in the northern Indian Ocean, which was helping to guide an Israeli missile towards Iranian territory. According to Iranian news outlet IRNA, the incident took place on Saturday.
The public relations officer of the First Naval Zone issued a statement on the matter, in which they maintained that the destroyer was detected by the Iranian intelligence systems on Friday night.
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The authorities noted that the British destroyer was warned by the combat drones before it could advance towards the Persian Gulf. As per the statement, the vessel was then forced to change course after it was being tracked in the Sea of Oman.
Tensions in West Asia reached a high after Israel struck Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure, eliminating the top brass of the country's military. In retaliation for this, Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles, killing 10 people in the Jewish nation.
Meanwhile, the wave of attacks in Iran has led to the deaths of at least 78 people, with 320 others injured, according to figures earlier announced by Iran's UN envoy.
Interestingly, Iran detected the British destroyer after UK PM Keir Starmer said Britain is moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East to provide support across the region.
'We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region,' Starmer said. It is pertinent to note that the United Kingdom already has fighter jets in the Middle East as part of an operation to counter threats in Iraq and Syria.
Crews began deployment preparations on Friday morning when it was clear the situation in the region was deteriorating, a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
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Further refuelling aircraft from British bases have been deployed, and additional fighter jets will be sent, the spokesperson added.
With inputs from agencies.