Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 7, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
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The UK aided the US in seizing a Russian oil tanker linked to sanctions evasion, showcasing strong defense ties.
LONDON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Britain provided support to the United States in its operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
The U.S. seized the tanker - which was being shadowed by a Russian submarine - on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic as part of Washington's efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.
Britain said its armed forces gave "pre-planned operational support, including basing" following a U.S. request for assistance.
It said a military vessel provided support for the U.S. forces pursuing the tanker, and the Royal Air Force provided surveillance support from the air.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation targeted a vessel "with a nefarious history" linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks.
“This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” he said in a statement.
He added that the U.S. was Britain's closest defence and security partner: "The depth of our defence relationship with the U.S. is an essential part of our security, and today's seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice."
The Bella-1 tanker, now renamed Marinera, is sanctioned by the U.S. under its counter-Iran sanctions, the British government said.
The MoD statement said the support was provided "in full compliance with international law".
(Reporting by William James, writing by Sam Tabahriti, editing by Paul Sandle and Kate Holton)
Compliance refers to the process of adhering to laws, regulations, and guidelines relevant to an organization’s operations, ensuring that all activities are conducted within legal frameworks.
A sanctions regime is a set of measures imposed by countries or international organizations to restrict trade and financial transactions with specific nations or entities, often in response to violations of international law.
Financial crime encompasses a range of illegal activities that involve money, including fraud, money laundering, and financing of terrorism, which undermine the integrity of financial systems.
Criminal finance refers to the financial activities associated with illegal operations, including the management and movement of funds derived from criminal activities.
An international financial institution is an organization that provides financial services and funding to countries or private entities, often aimed at promoting economic development and stability.
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