John Healey gives operational update in the House of Commons
Earlier in his statement to the Commons Healey discussed the counter-Iran sanctions on the Russian-flagged oil tanker.
He said: “In 2024, this vessel was sanctioned by the US and subjected to a seizure warrant for illegally transporting uranium oil. It reflagged five times in the last five years, and was falsely flying the Guyana ensign when it was intercepted by the US.
“Over a four-year period, reports suggest that this vessel moved some 7.3 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, the proceeds of which have been used to finance terrorism, threat and instability across the world.
“And the Iranian regime continues to export violence across the region through its proxies and its partners, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraqi militias. It maintains support for Russia by supplying Putin with weapons for his brutal invasion of Ukraine, including the drones and missiles which target and kill Ukrainian civilians. And it is telling, of course, that this vessel, in an attempt to evade the seizure warrant, changed its name and tried to adopt the Russian flag.”
