Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department intend to increase armed forces presence in the Persian Gulf to help prevent the illegal movement of arms and equipment.

While there are no current plans to increase our armed forces presence, we have a substantial presence in the Gulf under Op KIPION, upholding International Law and undertaking a range of Security Operations across the Gulf to address threats to the global commons and to states' security. These are often in partnership with allies or as part of multinational constructs such as the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and our leadership of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) which has continued to grow its member nations since its creation in 2019.

In a demonstration of the UK's commitment to upholding international law HMS MONTROSE conducted two interdictions earlier this year resulting in the seizure of Iranian advanced conventional weaponry, which we presented to the UN Panel of Experts in June.

To ensure regional security, including in the maritime domain, our deployed force levels in the Middle East are kept under constant review and adjusted in line with UK requirements and priorities. The UK is committed to the region's security and as such engages broadly with regional partners and international constructs to maximise the benefit, and effect, realised from UK force attribution.