On June 14, 2025, an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) forced a British Royal Navy destroyer, believed to be HMS Defender, to leave Persian Gulf waters after being warned of a possible destruction.

According to Iranian sources, the destroyer, which was in the Sea of ​​Oman with the aim, as Tehran claims, of "guiding Israeli missiles to Iran," was spotted by the Iranian Navy. The ship's commander was given an ultimatum: turn around or face attack. The destroyer then changed course and left the area.

The incident comes amid an escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict sparked by Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which began on June 13. The Israeli Air Force struck Iran’s Natanz nuclear facilities and military bases, destroying up to 40 air defense installations and killing key IRGC commanders, including Hossein Salami. Iran responded by launching 200 missiles and drones at Israel, with strikes on Tel Aviv. Tehran also accused the UK of supporting Israel, which the Iranian Foreign Ministry said made British military installations in the region “legitimate targets.”

According to Reuters, British authorities confirmed that HMS Defender was in the Sea of ​​Oman as part of a freedom of navigation operation, but denied allegations of coordination with Israel. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was deploying additional aircraft to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to provide “emergency support” to the region, but stressed that London was not involved in offensive operations. The UK Ministry of Defence called Iran’s actions “provocative” and a “breach of international law”.