U.K. aided U.S. in seizure of Russian-flagged tanker Marinera in North Atlantic

Time reports U.S. forces seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports on Wednesday, including the Russian-flagged Marinera (formerly Bella 1), which was apprehended in waters between Iceland and Scotland with assistance from the United Kingdom. The U.K. provided pre-planned operational support after a U.S.

request, supplying RAF airborne surveillance, the naval support tanker RFA Tideforce, and use of bases for U.S. aircraft; no British troops boarded the seized vessel. U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey said British involvement was "in full compliance with international law" and noted the ship had previously breached U.S.

sanctions on Iran. The vessel was sanctioned by the U.S. in July 2024 when known as Bella 1, accused of transporting illicit cargo for a company owned by Hezbollah, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a "Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel deemed stateless after flying a false flag," citing a "judicial order" against it.

Key Topics

World, Marinera, Rfa Tideforce, Royal Air Force, John Healey, Hezbollah