On 7 January 2026, the Defence Secretary announced that the UK had supported a United States operation to intercept the motor vessel BELLA 1 in the North Atlantic. The vessel, which had been re‑flagged multiple times and was subject to US counter‑Iran sanctions, refused to comply with the US Coast Guard’s exercise of its jurisdiction on 20 December. The US pursued the ship across the Atlantic, and UK bases and Royal Navy and RAF assets were authorised to support the operation, though no UK personnel boarded. The UK cited enforcement of sanctions, countering shadow shipping linked to Russia and Iran, and protecting national security as key objectives. In the same statement, the Secretary outlined the UK’s role in a recent Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, where a declaration of intent was signed to support Ukraine and pursue a lasting peace.
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Original source: https://www.gov.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defence-secretary-statement-on-us-interception-of-bella-1-and-coalition-of-the-willing-meeting
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