By Micah Jonah
January 8, 2026
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has said the Scottish government was not informed about the use of a Scottish airport during a United States operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
Swinney said while his government supports the enforcement of international sanctions, Scotland must be fully informed, consulted on security-related interventions carried out on its territory.
His comments came a day after US authorities confirmed the seizure of a Russian-flagged vessel in the North Atlantic as part of ongoing sanctions enforcement measures.
The First Minister’s remarks underscore growing concerns in Scotland over transparency and coordination in international security operations involving Scottish infrastructure, even when such actions are linked to broader allied efforts.
