SIR Keir Starmer could send thousands of interceptor drones to the Middle East after Trump pleaded for help to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK may be looking at whether Octopus interceptor anti-drone systems, originally manufactured to help Ukraine in the war against Russia, could be also be used against Iran’s Shahed strikes.
A defence source told The Telegraph: “The Ukrainians are the best at stopping these drones as they have been doing it for the past four years.
“We are playing a leading role here, working with Ukrainians in a way that no other nation is to develop and manufacture anti-drone systems and drone interceptors, designed to take out Shahed drones.
“Ukraine is clearly the first priority for this capability. But beyond that, the axis of aggression between Russia and Iran is clear. Shahed-style drones are a key part of both their arsenals.”
It comes as Donald Trump said he hoped the UK would join a Strait of Hormuz taskforce to re-open the vital waterway.
He announced an international effort to release Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait, dubbed the Valley of Death after eight seamen were killed in attacks on 20 ships.
The US President said a number of countries would be sending warships to protect oil tankers, which would hopefully include the UK.
It will be seen by some as a U-turn after Mr Trump slammed Sir Keir Starmer’s dithering response to the conflict last week.
The Sun revealed yesterday our warship HMS Dragon spent three days bobbing about in the Channel after setting off from Portsmouth for Cyprus on Tuesday.
Mr Trump previously attacked Sir Keir over his slow response and warned he “will remember” the lack of British support.
A source close to the president told The Telegraph: “The British showed during the Iran conflict they can’t be depended upon, they don’t have the resources and they’re not really committed to any assets.
“There is no special relationship; that’s over. The entire war in Iran shows that the entire security guarantee will fall apart. The US is going to see France, and particularly England and see our special relationship can deliver nothing.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The UK is continuously investing in new counter-drone defences. To protect the security of our personnel, we do not comment on specific operational capabilities.”
This comes as Trump has called for a “team effort” to unlock the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the US has laid waste to Iran.
The President called on partners – including the UK – to work together to help reopen the crucial shipping route.
Simultaneously, he declared the US has “beaten and completely decimated Iran” – both militarily and economically.”
Only earlier today did Trump issue a chilling warning that the US would keep “bombing the hell out of shoreline”, blowing any Iranian vessels out of the water.
It emerged as Iran threatened to take American troops hostage if Trump seizes their crucial oil hub Kharg Island.
The US president said on Truth Social that Washington had destroyed “100% of Iran’s Military capability” – but warned the regime could still launch drones or drop mines “no matter how badly defeated” they were.
Trump said: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated.”
He added that the US would be “bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water” in the meantime.
