Britain's key role as US forces pounce on rogue tanker bound for Russia - as Moscow condemns America's action as 'outright piracy'
British forces helped the US in a dramatic high seas raid to intercept the Marinera, a rogue oil tanker and 'Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel', bound for Russia yesterday.
British forces helped the US in a dramatic high seas raid to intercept a rogue oil tanker bound for Russia yesterday.
The American-led operation in the North Atlantic was launched from British bases and aided by RAF spy planes and Royal Navy ships.
The capture of the Marinera – a 'Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel', according to the White House – brought to an end a two-week game of cat and mouse across the waves as the US chased the ageing tanker from the Caribbean.
The operation played out in the icy waters between Iceland and northern Scotland, as Moscow tried desperately to defend the ship flying under its flag with the menacing presence of a Russian submarine nearby.
Russia last night called the seizure 'outright piracy'. But US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned: 'Our military is prepared to continue this. The President, when he speaks, he means it. He's not messing around. We are an administration of action to advance our interests, and that is on full display.'
The US Coast Guard (USCG) also captured a second vessel – the tanker Sophia – in the Caribbean yesterday morning. It was said to be carrying two million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela, worth more than £100million.
In the House of Commons last night, Defence Secretary John Healey described the conditions in the Atlantic operation as 'dangerous and deteriorating'.
Mr Healey confirmed the role of British aircraft but stressed this was a US operation against a 'falsely flagged tanker'.
British forces helped the US in a dramatic high seas raid to intercept the Marinera, a rogue oil tanker bound for Russia yesterday
The US Coast Guard (USCG) also captured a second vessel – the tanker Sophia – in the Caribbean yesterday morning
Sophia was said to be carrying two million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela, worth more than £100million. Pictured: Armed US Coast Guard officers take control of the tanker
The Marinera, previously known as the Bella 1, claimed a Russian flag in an effort to evade seizure by the US – its fifth flag change in as many years.
Mr Healey said: 'The UK, at the request of the US, supported this operation as part of global efforts to crack down on sanction busting and shadow shipping activity.
'The Bella 1 was falsely flagged and subject to US counter-Iran sanctions. This ship shared close links with both Iran and Russia.
'The operation is ongoing but the Bella 1 is under the control of US forces who demonstrated immense courage and professionalism in advancing sea conditions.