A British nuclear-powered submarine, equipped with Tomahawk missiles, has been deployed in the Arabian Sea and is awaiting a possible order for long-range strikes in case of further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

HMS Anson on standby for long-range operations
According to the British newspaper Daily Mail, the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson has taken position in the Arabian Sea, awaiting orders from London for possible participation in long-range military operations should the crisis in the region intensify further.

The British Royal Navy's nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Anson, arrives in the Arabian Sea.

HMS Anson armed for strike on Iran ‘if conflict escalates’ — Daily Mail pic.twitter.com/VQFrtIM9BG

— Sprinter Press (@SprinterPress) March 22, 2026

Reuters notes that it has not been able to independently verify the information, while the UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on the report.

🇬🇧🇦🇺 BREAKING: HMS Anson’s sudden departure from Australia highlights the limits of Britain’s stretched naval fleet.

This move could have major implications for AUKUS, showing that even close allies may face capacity constraints amid global crises.

Source: The Diplomat pic.twitter.com/EVSWki5cLx

— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) March 16, 2026

Tomahawk missiles and Spearfish torpedoes in its arsenal
According to the same report, HMS Anson is equipped with Tomahawk Block IV missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, systems that enable it to carry out long-range strikes and operate in high-intensity conditions.

The submarine reportedly departed in recent days from Perth, Australia, covering approximately 5,500 miles (8,850 kilometers) to reach the Arabian Sea.

Closing

According to the Daily Mail, the nuclear-powered submarine surfaces periodically in order to communicate with the headquarters of the British armed forces in Northwood.

Any potential order for an attack, according to the same report, would need to be approved by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer.

Link to US operations against Iran
The possible deployment of HMS Anson in the Arabian Sea – if confirmed – comes after the “green light” given by Downing Street for the use of British military bases by the United States to carry out strikes on Iranian missile facilities considered a threat to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

This development is part of the broader context of increased military activity in the region, as international powers monitor developments surrounding the security of maritime routes and tensions between Washington and Tehran.