Britain will join the US-led naval coalition in the Persian Gulf to protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Defense Minister Ben Wallace announced on Tuesday: "We look forward to working alongside the U.S. and others to find an international solution to the problems in the Strait of Hormuz."

"The U.K. is determined to ensure her shipping is protected from unlawful threats."

A security source told Reuters that the country’s goal by joining the US-led coalition is to protect shipping and Britain has no intention of joining the US sanctions against Iran.

Last month, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy seized a British tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The act was in response to the seizure of an Iranian supertanker by a British force in Gibraltar for violating EU sanctions against Syria.

Britain’s decision to join the coalition comes after Germany’s announcement that it will not join the US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf. However, the German government is open to an EU observer mission to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf. The United States had officially asked Germany to join the coalition last week.