The Russian-flagged oil tanker at the centre of a dramatic high-seas interdiction has arrived in British waters, escorted by American and UK vessels. The Marinera, seized last week for allegedly violating US sanctions, dropped anchor in the Moray Firth in Northern Scotland after a transatlantic pursuit.
Operation in the North Atlantic
The vessel's journey to Scotland followed a coordinated military operation. On January 7, US forces, with support from the UK, boarded the tanker as it travelled in waters between Iceland and Scotland. The raid occurred at approximately 12pm GMT, after which communications with the Marinera were lost.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that British forces, including RAF aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce, supported the US-led operation in the Atlantic. Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the action was part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions evasion.
A "Shadow Fleet" Vessel with Alleged Russian-Iranian Links
In an emergency statement to MPs, Healey described the Marinera as a "falsely flagged" and "stateless" vessel with a long history of nefarious activity. He asserted it shared close links with both Iran and Russia, forming part of a "Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion."
He authorised the use of UK bases and the deployment of RAF and Navy assets to assist the United States, although he clarified that no UK personnel were involved in the actual boarding of the ship. The tanker's final destination remains unclear, and its transponder has been turned off, removing it from public tracking systems.
Geopolitical Tensions and Legal Disputes
The seizure has sparked a significant diplomatic row. The Russian transport ministry condemned the action, stating that "no state has the right to use force" against vessels registered under other jurisdictions, citing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Ahead of the interception, Kremlin adviser Andrei Fedorov warned that seizing the vessel would "be considered as an attack on Russia" and could precipitate a critical crisis in relations with the United States. The incident underscores the escalating Western efforts to enforce oil sanctions and the potential for such actions to increase international friction.
