The UK is considering military action to seize tankers evading sanctions against Russia, targeting a 'shadow fleet' in its waters.
The UK is considering the possibility of seizing suspicious tanker vessels in its territorial waters as part of sanctions against Russia. According to a report by the BBC, the London administration plans to deploy military assets against what it claims is a 'shadow fleet' used by Moscow to circumvent sanctions.
The British government alleges that Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are using tankers owned by third parties to bypass Western sanctions. In this context, it is stated that the UK may intervene against vessels suspected of being part of this 'shadow fleet' within its territorial waters.
The report indicates that the UK is basing this move on the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2018. This legislation initially allowed for sanctions to be imposed in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions but was later expanded to include individuals and entities accused of human rights violations.
If the planned implementation goes ahead, it could be possible for the UK navy to stop and seize tankers suspected of sanction violations. This situation is assessed to potentially lead to new tensions in global energy transportation and maritime trade.
Source: www.denizhaber.com
