British Navy flotilla to patrol Iran waters : 4 November, 2007

LONDON: A Royal Navy aircraft carrier is to head for the Gulf as pressure builds on Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.Illustrious is due to be in waters near Iran next spring, accompanied by Edinburgh, a Type 42 destroyer, and a Type 23 frigate, Westminster. Two minesweepers and three support vessels from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will also take part in Operation Orion 08.President George Bush is said to be determined to deal with the threat of Iran becoming a nuclear power before he leaves office next autumn.The Ministry of Defence played down speculation that the ships, which will sail in the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea for about six months, would be in the region at a time when a military strike may be launched.A spokesman stressed that the operation had been "planned for a while" and that British carriers had been in these waters last year and in 2005. -