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Iran has reportedly asked China for its support in the Gulf, as Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Duncan arrived in the region.

The state - which seized a British-flagged tanker in retaliation for a UK operation involving Royal Marines from Plymouth which saw an Iranian tanker seized near Gibraltar earlier this month - has also condemned UK calls for a European-led naval mission to escort tankers in the Gulf,

In response, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei, said "We heard that they intend to send a European fleet to the Persian Gulf, which naturally carries a hostile message, is provocative, and will increase tensions."

And the Secretary of Iran's Expediency Council, Mohsen Rezaei, has reportedly told China the UK and the US have "been fanning the flames of war in the Persian Gulf".

Rezaei made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Song Tao, who who arrived in Tehran on Sunday, reports Iranian news agency Mehr news.

"We live in the energy region of the world. Any kind of insecurity and conflict in this region would carry harm to global peace and security,” Rezaei is quoted as telling Song Tao.

“Americans and Britain have been fanning the flames of war in the Persian Gulf region and they want to pretend they have control over the Strait of Hormuz and the movement of vessels. Of course, we do not allow this to happen. In the meantime, we expect cooperation from our friends in China.”

“Persian Gulf security is our security and we have to respond to their attacks and destabilizing actions in order to maintain security. We want free shipping and security in the Persian Gulf.”

Mehr News reports that Tao said in response: "The mission of the delegation is to strengthen the strategic coordination and dialogue between the two countries and we are willing to confront challenges and problems together.”

“There are complicated and rapid developments happening on the international stage that have created challenges for the countries of China and Iran, but our resolve and determination is to support Iran’s legal and legitimate rights to development and progress.”

HMS Duncan joined Plymouth-based frigate HMS Montrose in the Gulf, to defend freedom of navigation, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Sunday. Last week, the UK announced a policy change, amid escalating tensions with Iran, which will see the Royal Navy tasked to accompany British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Type 45 Destroyer HMS Duncan will work with Type 23 Frigate HMS Montrose until she comes off duty in late August, ensuring the continuous availability of ships to accompany merchant vessels.

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China has one of the world's largest and most powerful Naval forces, and is behind only the US and possibly Russia in terms of its strength. The People’s Liberation Army Navy is reported to have a huge fleet at its disposal, including more 700 aircraft, one aircraft carrier, five amphibious transport docks, one mobile landing platform, 32 landing ship tanks, 31 landing ship mediums, eight SSN attack submarines, 55 SSK attack submarines, five ballistic missile submarines, two experimental submarines, 34 destroyers, 51 frigates, 42 corvettes, 109 missile boats, 94 submarine chasers, 17 gunboats, 29 mine countermeasures ships, 12 replenishment ships, and over 200 auxiliary ships.

Speaking today, the UK's new Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital not just to the UK, but also our international partners and allies.

"Merchant ships must be free to travel lawfully and trade safely, anywhere in the world. I’m pleased that HMS Duncan will continue HMS Montrose's fine work in helping to secure this essential route.

"While we continue to push for a diplomatic resolution that will make this possible again without military accompaniment, the Royal Navy will continue to provide a safeguard for UK vessels until this is the reality."

Last week, the UK announced a policy change, amid escalating tensions with Iran, which will see the Royal Navy tasked to accompany British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

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