Overview
- U.S. special forces boarded the empty tanker between Scotland and Iceland, with support from Royal Navy and Royal Air Force units.
- British support included the supply ship RFA Tideforce, reconnaissance aircraft, and use of U.K. airbases, according to Defence Minister John Healey.
- U.S. authorities say the ship, formerly ‘Bella 1,’ engaged in ship‑to‑ship transfers of Iranian crude in violation of sanctions.
- Russia had granted the vessel a temporary flag on December 24 and issued warnings as it steered toward Murmansk, escalating tensions after a submarine deployment.
- Reporting links the ship to Moscow businessman Ilya Bugai and alleges networks that finance or supply groups such as the Houthis and Hezbollah, with a separate U.S. action bringing another tanker under control in the Caribbean.