US moves to seize Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela near Iceland, raises tensions with Moscow
PTC Web Desk: The United States has begun an operation to take control of a Russian-flagged oil tanker suspected of breaching sanctions linked to Venezuela, after monitoring the vessel’s movement across the Atlantic for more than two weeks, according to US officials quoted by Reuters. The move risks intensifying already strained relations with Moscow.
The tanker, currently sailing under the name Marinera, is believed to be involved in transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of US sanctions. American authorities say the mission is being carried out jointly by the US Coast Guard and the US military and is taking place near Iceland, an area where Russian naval activity, including a submarine and a warship, has reportedly been detected.
Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ship repeatedly ignored requests from the US Coast Guard to allow an inspection. The tanker had earlier managed to evade what US officials described as a maritime enforcement net targeting vessels connected to sanctioned Venezuelan oil exports.
Earlier operating under the name Bella-1, the tanker was first stopped by the Coast Guard last month. After refusing boarding, it was later re-registered under the Russian flag and renamed Marinera, according to US authorities.
Russia’s state-run broadcaster RT claimed US forces attempted to board the vessel via helicopter and published an image that allegedly shows an aircraft hovering near the ship. RT also reported that a Coast Guard vessel has been shadowing the tanker and that an earlier seizure attempt was called off due to severe weather conditions.
US officials confirmed that the reported presence of Russian military assets nearby has added a layer of sensitivity to the operation, although they declined to clarify how close those vessels are to the tanker. If the seizure proceeds, it would be among the rare recent cases of US forces attempting to take control of a Russian-flagged commercial ship.
The operation forms part of US President Donald Trump’s stepped-up campaign against Venezuela, which includes tougher enforcement against oil shipments tied to Caracas. US authorities have also intercepted another tanker linked to Venezuelan oil trade in Latin American waters in recent weeks.
The tanker episode follows a separate, highly controversial pre-dawn US special forces operation in Caracas that reportedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was later transferred to US custody to face charges related to alleged drug trafficking.
Senior Venezuelan officials have condemned both actions, describing them as unlawful and accusing Washington of attempting to seize control of Venezuela’s oil wealth, which represents the largest proven reserves globally.
- With inputs from agencies
