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Defence minister John Healey announced the package at a virtual summit of defence ministers on Tuesday. It includes autonomous systems to detect and clear naval mines, drone boats and Typhoon jets for air patrols.

More than 1,000 British personnel are already deployed in the region as part of existing defensive operations, including counter-drone teams and fast jet squadrons, the ministry said.

The Ministry of Defence said the multinational mission - which was announced last month by the UK and France - is strictly defensive and aimed at restoring confidence for commercial shipping along the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the plan, HMS Dragon - the air defence destroyer that is already on its way to the Middle East - will also "be ready for any mission" to secure the strait, the MoD said.

Sir Keir's position on the conflict has been that the UK will not be "dragged" into it. He has previously said the UK would not support a US blockade of Iranian ports, which is still in place.