The United States has seized a Russian-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic with assistance from British forces, in an operation condemned by Moscow amid escalating tensions over sanctions evasion.
Joint operation targets sanctions evasion
Britain confirmed on Wednesday that it provided “enabling support” to Washington during the US operation to seize the Russian-flagged vessel, which had evaded an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuela last month.
“UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support to US military assets interdicting the Bella-1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a US request for assistance,” the UK Ministry of Defence said.
A Royal Navy ship provided support for US forces pursuing the vessel – which recently changed its name to the Marinera – while the Royal Air Force provided surveillance support from the air.
The tanker had been part of what Washington describes as a shadow fleet carrying oil for countries including Venezuela, Russia and Iran in violation of US sanctions.
Vessel linked to terrorism financing
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, recent assessments showed the tanker has been involved in illegal activity “linked to international terrorism and crime including Hezbollah”, the Iranian-backed Lebanese force.
The vessel had “turned off its transponders while at sea and sought to reflag while being pursued, indicating its nefarious links to global sanctions evasion”, the ministry added.
The ship had been under US sanctions since 2024 over alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah, and was “initially flying a false flag” according to British officials.
Russia condemns seizure
Russia’s transport ministry criticised the seizure, saying “freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas”, while Moscow’s foreign ministry urged Washington to allow the swift return of Russian crew members from the ship.
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists that crew members may be taken to the United States for prosecution, with Washington deeming the ship to be stateless.
Second vessel seized
The US military also announced that a second sanctioned tanker had been seized in the Caribbean Sea, bringing the total number of ships Washington has taken control of since last month to four.
Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem said both vessels “were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it”.
Context of Venezuelan intervention
The seizures come in the wake of a US raid last weekend that toppled Venezuela’s authoritarian president, Nicolás Maduro, with American special forces capturing him and his wife from Caracas.
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Since then, President Donald Trump has said that the United States will run Venezuela and US companies will control its critical oil industry.
Defence minister John Healey told parliament that “no UK personnel took part in the boarding” of the tanker, praising the “immense courage and professionalism” of US forces in “dangerous and deteriorating” conditions at sea.
The operation highlights the deepening cooperation between the US and UK in enforcing international sanctions, with Healey noting that “the US is the UK’s closest defence and security partner”.
