This is the UK's version of the P3 incident. Will they, like we did then, kowtow and show the world we're wimps, or will they properly kick butt?
Funny thing here with your analogy, which is apt by the way:
Iran isn't China by a long shot. China's a much bigger, different can of problems than Iran is.
If the UK said they wanted to throw down with Iran, many would line up to help, I would think.