Ashhar Alam

The United Kingdom has confirmed it provided “enabling support” to the United States during the interception of the Russian‑flagged oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, following a request from Washington, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

According to the MoD, British forces offered operational assistance that included the use of UK bases, surveillance support from Royal Air Force aircraft, and logistical backing from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Tideforce as U.S. forces pursued and stopped the vessel.

The support was given in full compliance with international law, Defence Secretary John Healey told lawmakers.

The tanker, which had been sanctioned by Washington under counter‑Iran sanctions and alleged to be involved in sanctions‑evasion activities linked to conflict zones, had at times flown false flags and altered its identity while being tracked by U.S. authorities.

The action forms part of a wider effort by Western nations to disrupt illicit shipping networks and uphold sanctions enforcement, officials said.

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Healey stressed that the long‑standing defense relationship between the UK and U.S. underpinned the operation, describing the cooperation as a demonstration of collective efforts to counter global security threats.