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.
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.
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)
