British Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment tanker RFA Tideforce supported U.S. forces as they pursued and seized Russian-flagged tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic.
As per a statement from the U.K. Government, the RFA tanker provided logistical support during the operation to take command of the shadow fleet vessel, which had sailed from Venezuela, changing its flag and name to the Russian-flagged Marinera en route.
Seizure by American forces yesterday (Wednesday) brought to a conclusion a week-long pursuit by U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy surface and air forces; a second tanker, Sophia, was also seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela.
The Bella 1 is accused of breaking sanctions aimed at stopping Iran from fuelling instability in the Middle East through the profits of illegal oil sales.
As per the U.K. statement: “U.K. armed forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets interdicting the Bella 1 between the U.K. and Iceland following a U.S. request for assistance.
“RFA Tideforce is providing support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air.”
Defence Secretary John Healey commented: “This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine.
“The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability — making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.
“The U.S. is the UK’s closest defence and security partner and the security of the North Atlantic is critical to both our homelands.”
- You can read more details on the U.K. Government website