"The government has identified a legal basis which it believes can be used to allow UK military to board and detain vessels in so-called shadow fleets, BBC News understands. Russia, Iran and Venezuela have all been accused of operating ships without a valid national flag to avoid sanctions on oil. Last week British armed forces assisted US troops in seizing the Marinera oil tanker, which American officials accused of carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia and Iran, breaking US sanctions."
"The Sanctions and Money Laundering Act from 2018 can be used to approve the use of military force, ministers believe. It is understood there are plans for the armed forces to use these powers, in what is being described inside government as a ramping up of action against the ships. It is not known exactly when the first UK military action might occur. Two oil tankers subject to US sanctions were reportedly spotted sailing east through the English Channel towards Russia on Thursday."
The government has identified a legal basis to allow UK military to board and detain vessels operating as so‑called shadow fleets. Russia, Iran and Venezuela are accused of operating ships without valid national flags to evade oil sanctions. British forces assisted US troops in seizing the Marinera tanker, accused of carrying sanctioned oil for those countries. Ministers say the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018 can authorize military force and officials plan to use those powers to ramp up action against sanctioned, unflagged ships, though no UK boarding has yet occurred. The UK has sanctioned more than 500 alleged shadow vessels and says action has forced about 200 ships off the seas.
Read at www.bbc.com
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