London: UK armed forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to US military assets interdicting the Bella 1 between the UK and Iceland following a US request for assistance. RFA Tideforce is providing support for US forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air, the UK Ministry of Defense said in a press release on Wednesday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the UK and US defence and security relationship is the deepest in the world and the UK provided enabling support in full compliance with international law, as stated in the press release. UK Defence Secretary John Healey commented on the operation, highlighting the skill and professionalism exhibited by the UK Armed Forces in supporting the successful US interception of the vessel while it was en route to Russia.
Healey further explained that this action was part of global efforts to address sanctions evasion, emphasizing the ship's involvement in a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion that fuels terrorism, conflict, and instability from the Middle East to Ukraine. He affirmed the UK's commitment to counter shadow fleet activities to safeguard national security, the economy, and global stability.
He also underscored the importance of the US-UK defence relationship, which he described as the UK's closest defence and security partnership. He noted that the security of the North Atlantic is crucial to both nations, and the seamless execution of this operation exemplifies the depth of their defence collaboration.
The Bella 1 is sanctioned by the US under its counter-Iran sanctions, aimed at preventing Iran from using profits from illegal oil sales to destabilize the Middle East. The ship, initially flying a false flag, turned off its transponders and attempted to reflag while being pursued, indicating its involvement in global sanctions evasion.