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The remote-controlled Blowfish was located by Saudi forces in the Red Sea, close to HMS Duncan’s route. Tensions are at boiling point in the region after Iran vowed to take revenge on the UK after Royal Marines impounded one of its tankers near Gibraltar. Military sources believe the Blowfish, which can be steered from four miles away, was deployed by Iran’s Houthi allies.

War fears surge as Britain sends second warship to confront Iran

Iran warned to brace for coalition of warships - 'Tensions are up'

HMS Duncan is steaming towards the Gulf

The threat from the Houthis, who as Iran’s proxy militia do Tehran’s dirty work, is very real

HMS Duncan, a Type 45 destroyer, is sailing though the Suez Canal and will join forces with frigate HMS Montrose in the troubled Gulf.

Former naval officer Simon Warrington told The Mirror: “The threat from the Houthis, who as Iran’s proxy militia do Tehran’s dirty work, is very real.”

HMS Duncan is the latest warship to join the growing fleet gathering in the Gulf after the US sent another warship and a Patriot missile-defence ­system to the Middle East.

But Tory leadership favourite Boris Johnson has ruled out backing Washington in any military action against the Islamic Republic.