‘No state has the right to use force against ships,’ says Moscow after US seizes Russian-flagged tanker – live
By Guardian - Shrai Popat - Human Synthesis-07 January 2026
Marinera, also known as the Bella 1, has been taken over in North Atlantic with second Venezuela-linked vessel seized in Caribbean. The UK Ministry of Defence has just confirmed the UK has provided “enabling support” to the US during its operation to seize the Bella 1 / Marinera vessel.
A handout image of the ship Marinera (formerly the Bella 1) from the European Command Photograph: Us European Command/X/ReutersFrances Mao (now) and Jakub Krupa (earlier)Wed 7 Jan 2026 16.48 GMT
15.35 GMT
UK confirms support to US seizure of Russian flagged oil tanker
The UK Ministry of Defence has just confirmed the UK has provided “enabling support” to the US during its operation to seize the Bella 1 / Marinera vessel.
Its statement said:
“UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a U.S. request for assistance. RFA Tideforce provided support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air.
The UK and U.S. defence and security relationship is the deepest in the world and the UK provided enabling support in full compliance with international law.”
UK defence secretary John Healey hailed the UK armed force’s “skill and professionalism,” while describing the action as “part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.”
“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. The depth of our defence relationship with the U.S. is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice.”
The UK MoD added that the ship was “initially flying a false flag,” and then “turned off its transponders while at sea and sought to reflag while being pursued, indicating its nefarious links to global sanctions evasion.”
“Recent assessments show that the Bella 1 has been involved in illegal activity, linked to international terrorism and crime including Hezbollah, and part of the web of rising shadow activity that fuels and finances nefarious activity across the globe,” it said.
“The Russian flagging of the vessel shows their role in this interconnected shadow activity we are seeing across the world, which threatens our national security, harms our economy and undermines global security.”
16.44 GMT
Rubio says US on verge of deal to take 'all the oil stuck in Venezuela'
Shrai Popat
Speaking to reporters, Rubio said that the US is about to execute on a deal to take “all the oil that is stuck in Venezuela”.
“We’re going to sell it in the marketplace, at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting. That money will then be handled in such a way that we will control how it is dispersed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people, not corruption, not the regime,” Rubio added.
When pressed by reporters about whether the US is concerned about the interim leader’s loyalty to her deposed predecessor, Rubio remained resolute.
“The bottom line is that there is a process now in place where we have tremendous control and leverage over what those interim authorities are doing and are able to do,” the secretary of state said.
“But obviously this will be a process of transition. In the end, it will be up to the Venezuelan people to transform their country. We are prepared under the right conditions, using the leverage that we have, which includes the fact that they cannot move any oil unless we allow them to move it.”
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16.38 GMT
Rubio also told reporters that Venezuela’s current interim leaders had asked the US for the oil cargo seized on those two ships to be “part of this deal” – i.e. the current US negotiations around the oil proceeds in Venezuela.
16.35 GMT
Hegseth says US military power, on display with tanker seizures, 'will continue'
Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth also just chimed in behind Rubio – describing the US action in Venezuela as “one of the most historic military operations the world has ever seen”, and referencing the overnight seizures of the two tankers.
He says the US military is the only one powerful enough to do that: “And the world is taking notice of that, certainly Venezuela is taking notice of that, and it continues, because two oil tankers overnight were seized by the United States of America… that leverage will continue.”
“The president when he speaks he means it. He’s not messing around. We are an administration of action to advance our interest and that is on fully display.”
16.29 GMT
Rubio meeting with Denmark on Greenland issue next week
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is speaking to reporters on Venezuela – he says the US administration will control how oil is dispersed in the country, and they’re exercising such leverage “in a positive way”.
He’s asked on Denmark and Greenland. He declines to answer questions on whether military intervention would be used – “I’m not here to talk about that”.
Rubio says he’s meeting with Denmark representatives next week.
16.15 GMT
Russia’s foreign ministry also says the US should ensure the swift return of its citizens on board the seized Bella 1/Marinera.
They’ve already declared it a violation of international law with one senior lawmaker calling it “piracy”.
The Russian transport ministry said the Marinera was boarded by the US Navy at approximately 12pm GMT, after which they lost contact with the boat, reports Tass state media.
The vessel had been authorised to sail under the Russian flag on 24 December.
16.01 GMT
The map below shows the US’s pursuit of the Venezuelan vessel, first known as the Bella-1 and then renamed and reflagged as the Marinera.
The ship had been sanctioned by the US in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for Hezbollah.
The US Coast Guard attempted to board it in the Caribbean in December as it headed for Venezuela. But the ship refused boarding and headed across the Atlantic.
Today, the US has seized the vessel in an operation supported by the UK air force and navy.
15.55 GMT
We will hear from the White House shortly with press secretary Karoline Leavitt due to hold a press briefing, where she will most likely give further detail on the US seizures of two oil tankers linked to Venezuela, the Bella 1/Marinera and the Sophia.
15.43 GMT
That MoD statement confirms the UK involvement suspected after a RAF surveillance plane was shown by flight-tracking sites over the area where the Bella 1/Marinera was seized.
The UK has said it provided one of its largest naval supply ships – the RFA Tideforce – to help the US operation. It also confirms that UK military bases were used by US planes and military assets in the operation in the North Atlantic.
A file picture of the RFA Tideforce – the British vessel which supported the US operation Photograph: Ministry of Defence/PA
UK confirms support to US seizure of Russian flagged oil tanker
The UK Ministry of Defence has just confirmed the UK has provided “enabling support” to the US during its operation to seize the Bella 1 / Marinera vessel.
Its statement said:
“UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a U.S. request for assistance. RFA Tideforce provided support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air.
The UK and U.S. defence and security relationship is the deepest in the world and the UK provided enabling support in full compliance with international law.”
UK defence secretary John Healey hailed the UK armed force’s “skill and professionalism,” while describing the action as “part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.”
“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. The depth of our defence relationship with the U.S. is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice.”
The UK MoD added that the ship was “initially flying a false flag,” and then “turned off its transponders while at sea and sought to reflag while being pursued, indicating its nefarious links to global sanctions evasion.”
“Recent assessments show that the Bella 1 has been involved in illegal activity, linked to international terrorism and crime including Hezbollah, and part of the web of rising shadow activity that fuels and finances nefarious activity across the globe,” it said.
“The Russian flagging of the vessel shows their role in this interconnected shadow activity we are seeing across the world, which threatens our national security, harms our economy and undermines global security.”
Shrai Popat - Guardian News
