Britain's Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK forces provided military assistance to the United States in the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker northwest of Britain and Ireland. Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs that the operation was justified under international law because the vessel, the Marinera, had previously been placed under US sanctions when it was known as the Bella 1.
Healey stated that the UK allowed US aircraft to use bases for preparation and execution of the mission, while the RAF provided extra surveillance and the Royal Navy supplied refuelling support during the final capture. No British forces took part in the boarding of the ship, which was carried out by US personnel.
The defence secretary described the vessel as part of a “Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion” that fuels terrorism and conflict. He noted that the tanker had changed its name five times in the last five years and had falsely flown the flag of Guyana, making it a stateless vessel that could be lawfully intercepted.
The Bella 1 had been under US Treasury sanctions since July 2024 for allegedly carrying illicit cargo for a company owned by Hezbollah. It is not thought to be carrying oil, raising speculation about its cargo. The ship was sailing from the Caribbean towards Russia when it was seized.
The UK’s assistance included the provision of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA Tideforce for fuel and supplies, and an RAF Rivet Joint surveillance plane flew missions over the Atlantic. The US European Command thanked the UK for its “unwavering support” during the operation.
Opposition parties expressed support for the seizure, though the Liberal Democrats called for clarification on its legality under international law. The Greens questioned why the UK was “hanging on US military coattails” and suggested stronger economic sanctions could have been used against the shadow fleet.
