Prince William joined a British team protecting ships from Iranian tyrants on the latest leg of his tour of the Middle East .
The Duke of Cambridge sped through the Strait of Hormuz in a show of support to troops on high alert along the controversial international trade route.
At the Ras Musandam Naval Base, in Oman, William was told of the British navy’s role in helping their Omani counterparts to monitor the waters responsible for the passage of more than 40% of the world’s crude oil cargo.
The Gulf region has become a flashpoint with Iranian forces threatening western vessels travelling through the narrow Strait, which at its narrowest point is just 21 miles wide.
After being greeted by a guard of honour at Khasab Airport the Duke travelled to the navy base to board the Al Rasikh Corvettes ship.
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It is one of three responsible for patrolling the area which has turned into a flashpoint in recent months.
Britain was forced to take drastic measures to protect its cargo ships from capture by Tehran as UK-Iran relations were in danger of boiling over.
Authorities in Gibraltar seized the Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1 in July after suspecting that it was transporting oil to Syria illegally.
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In retaliation the British registered Stena Impero was detained on July 19 by the Gulf state’s revolutionary guards who dramatically boarded the ship and seized the tanker.
While the Iranian ship was released within days the Impero was not allowed to leave Iran’s waters until September 27.
Captain Richard Moss, said: “Oman has a big role in maritime security.”
William spent 15 minutes on the ship before taking a white knuckle ride along the Strait aboard a navy speedboat.
The Duke donned a pair of sunglasses as the boats in convoy with British and Omani navy operatives ripped through the channel where Iran can be seen across the water.
This evening William boarded an Oman Air Force Hercules plane to arrive in Muscat for the final day of his tour.
He was greeted by His Highness Sayid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, a member of the country’s ruling family.
A senior palace source said: “The Duke of Cambridge’s visit is of huge importance, standing shoulder to shoulder with the troops.”
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