The United Kingdom aided the U.S. in an operation to seize a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Washington

The United Kingdom supported a US-led operation to seize the oil tanker Marinera, which is linked to Venezuela, in international waters between Iceland and Scotland. The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed that the US requested assistance, and British Defense Minister John Healey authorized the use of UK bases and deployment of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force assets, including airborne surveillance and the RFA ship Tideforce.

British officials noted that no UK personnel boarded the Marinera, signaling restraint and aiming to avoid provoking a response from Russia. The operation is part of broader discussions between UK Prime Minister Kirstarmer and US President Trump, covering issues such as Russia's war in Ukraine, the situation in Venezuela, and the status of Greenland.

UK helped the U.S. seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela

All right, let's jump to CBS News foreign correspondent Ramey Innocencio now from our London newsroom to continue this conversation. Good morning, Ramey. We're now learning the operation to seize one of those tankers had international support. It was almost at this time yesterday you and I were here covering this breaking development as we heard of this, so what more do we know today? Yes, that's right, Errol, and nearly 24 hours later we know that that support came from right here from the British government and the British military to seize that ship, the Marinera, as we see here in this photo from Russian media. This was in international waters between Iceland and Scotland. The Ministry of Defense said the US actually requested support and gave it, and Britain's defense minister, John Healey, revealed what he authorized. Take a listen. Following a request from the US, I authorized the use of UK bases and the deployment of Royal Navy and RAF assets to support the operation, including airborne surveillance and the RFA ship Tideforce. So land, sea, and air there is what he's talking about, and we now have these new videos you're looking at verified by the Reuters news agency that actually shows a buildup on Sunday of US military aircraft here in this country at Royal Air Force bases in England of planes and helicopters on at least two bases. Notably, the defense minister made it a point, though, to say that no British boots hit the Marinera. And for Russia, this could be seen as some kind of signal of restraint in the hopes that Moscow won't have a reason to retaliate. And then for the White House, almost more importantly here, it gives Prime Minister Kirstarmer political cover. Last night, we understand from Downing Street that he spoke with President Trump about that seizure yesterday, but also about Russia's continuing war in Ukraine, Venezuela, and the ouster of Maduro, as well as Greenland. And right now, the UK is walking that tightrope arrow with the US with a seizure, not criticizing the ouster of Maduro, but also pushing back against an American takeover of Greenland. Interesting information there. Ramy, thank you very much.

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