British Forces Join US Operation to Seize Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker Off Coast of Scotland
British forces joined a dramatic US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Scotland today. The Marinera, a Venezuelan-linked vessel previously known as Bella-1, was captured as it travelled north and eastwards in the waters towards Iceland.
The capture of the Marinera, which appeared bound for a Russian arctic port, could prove a new flashpoint in relations between the West and Moscow, whose transport ministry appeared to suggest the international law of the sea had been breached. RAF surveillance craft and a naval support vessel, the RFA Tideforce, were among the UK military assets that took part in the operation, according to the MoD.
US and UK Forces Collaborate on Seizure
The Ministry of Defence insisted the support was ‘in full compliance with international law’. Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.”
Marinera’s History Revealed
The MoD added that the ship had initially flown a false flag and is assessed to have been involved in illegal activity linked to Hezbollah. The Marinera ship – originally known as the Bella-1 – made an abrupt turn this afternoon and was heading towards Britain, according to ship tracking data.
Russian Reaction
The operation occurred in front of Russian military personnel, who were allegedly watching on from a nearby submarine when the seizure took place. Donald Trump’s latest power play came after the Marinera slipped through a US maritime ‘blockade’ of sanctioned vessels and rebuffed US Coast Guard efforts to board it.
Background and Context
The tanker is the latest to be targeted by the US Coast Guard since the start of Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela. Last month, the US Coast Guard attempted to board it in the Caribbean, armed with a warrant to seize the ship over alleged breaches of US sanctions and claims it had shipped Iranian oil. However, the tanker then abruptly changed course, renamed itself Marinera and was added to an official Russian ship database.
Defence Secretary’s Statement
Defence Secretary John Healey insisted the support was ‘in full compliance with international law’. He said: “This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine. The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability – making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
Original Article: British forces join US operation to seize Russian-flagged oil tanker off coast of Scotland — Co