November 2, 2007 (LPAC)--The British navy announced it will deploy its Illustrious aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf along with a Type 42 destroyer and a Type 23 frigate next spring, 2008. Also two minesweepers and three support vessels will be included. The entire operation will be called "Operation Orion 08." They will cruise for six months in the gulf, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

The Daily Telegraph, in reporting this, writes, "Their presence may coincide with a crucial period in the West's confrontation with Iran." They then add, "Observers believe that the spring is the last possible moment" for a strike against Iran by the Bush Administration.