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Berlin has warned the UK it will “not subscribe” to the aggressive strategy adopted by Washington in the Gulf - which has been endorsed by newly appointment Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Mr Raab has dismantled his predecessors proposals for a European-led naval task force in the region and insisted it will not be “viable” without the backing of US President Donald Trump. The Foreign Secretary told The Times: “I don’t think it’s a zero-sum game. “I think we do want to see a European-led approach, but that doesn’t seem to me to be viable without American support as well.”

The change in tactic in the treacherous region by the Foreign Office has been met with anger by Germany and France. German foreign minister, Heiko Maas said: “We have made clear that we do not subscribe to the United States’ policy of maximum pressure. “Our efforts in the region must be recognisably European.” Mr Hass added Germany will not embark on a military action unless there is “a clear idea of what such a mission would look like”.

Iran seized the British-tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, France stated the European-led project would be "the opposite of the American initiative”. Tehran has continued to ramp up hostility towards the West - on Wednesday US defence officials said Iran had tested a medium-range ballistic missile which travelled around 1,000 km (620 miles). Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also delivered a stern message to Europe and the US against intervention in the Gulf. Mr Rouhani following a meeting the Oman's foreign minister in Tehran said: “The presence of foreign forces will not only not help the security of the region, but will be the main factor for tension.”

Iran news: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab wants the backing of US forces in the region

The Iranian leader instead Rouhani Iran and Oman had primary responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions soared in the Strait after following the seizure of a Britain-flagged tanker by Iranian authorities Iranian officials said the Stena Impero had violated international shipping laws during its transit through the waters. Britain has since deployed the Royal Navy warship HMS Duncan to the troubled region to help vessels pass through the Strait.