The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the United Kingdom provided “enabling support” to the United States during the operation to seize the oil tanker Bella 1 / Marinera.
“UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, for U.S. military assets intervening against Bella 1 in the UK–Iceland–Greenland area, following a request for assistance from the United States. RFA Tideforce supported U.S. forces pursuing and intervening against Bella 1, while the Royal Air Force provided airborne surveillance support,” the statement said.
“The defence and security relationship between the UK and the U.S. is the deepest in the world, and the UK provided enabling support fully in line with international law,” The Guardian reported.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey praised the “skill and professionalism” of the British Armed Forces, describing the operation as “part of global efforts to disrupt sanctions evasion.”
“This vessel, with a shadowy history, is part of a Russia–Iran sanctions-evasion axis that fuels terrorism, conflict, and suffering from the Middle East to Ukraine.
The United Kingdom will continue to step up action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability—keeping Britain safe at home and strong abroad.
The United States is the UK’s closest partner in defence and security. The depth of our defence relationship with the U.S. is a vital part of our security, and today’s smoothly executed operation demonstrates just how effectively this partnership works in practice.”
The MoD added that the vessel was “initially sailing under a false flag” and later “switched off its transponders while at sea and attempted to change its flag during the pursuit, indicating its links to global sanctions evasion.”
“Recent assessments indicate that Bella 1 has been involved in illegal activities linked to terrorism and international crime, including Hezbollah, and forms part of the growing network of shadow fleet operations that fuel and finance illicit activities worldwide,” the statement said.
“The hoisting of the Russian flag on this vessel highlights Russia’s role in this interconnected shadow activity we are witnessing globally—activity that threatens our national security, harms our economy, and undermines global security.”
