In a dramatic high-seas operation, United States military forces have seized a Venezuelan-flagged oil tanker that was being escorted by Russian navy vessels, marking a significant escalation in Washington's campaign to enforce international sanctions.
A Bold Interception in the North Atlantic
The incident, which was first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, January 7, saw US Coast Guard personnel, with support from the US military, take control of the tanker approximately 190 miles off the southern coast of Iceland. The vessel, originally named Bella 1, was being tracked by the US as it crossed the Atlantic Ocean. According to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic, the tanker made a sharp turn south around the time the seizure was reported.
This was not the first attempt to detain the ship. US authorities had tried to board the Bella 1 last month near Venezuelan waters, but the vessel turned and fled, beginning a transatlantic pursuit. During this chase, the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and claimed protection from Moscow. The tanker was later re-registered under the name Marinera on Russia's official ship registry.
Russian Military Presence and US Resolve
In the days leading up to the seizure, the Russian military deployed naval assets, including a submarine, to protect the tanker. However, a US official stated it remains unclear how close these Russian vessels were when American forces moved in to intercept the ship. The Trump administration has stated it does not recognize the vessel's claimed Russian status, considering it effectively stateless.
The operation involved significant US military assets. US P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft monitored the tanker for several days from RAF Mildenhall in the UK as it moved north. Ahead of the seizure, at least 12 US C-17 transport aircraft landed at UK bases, with V-22 Ospreys and AC-130 gunships also observed operating from there.
The United Kingdom confirmed its support for the mission. The British defence ministry stated that UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tideforce supported the pursuit, and the Royal Air Force conducted aerial surveillance.
Official Reactions and Wider Crackdown
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hailed the seizure, declaring, "The world’s criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide." She praised the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro for following the tanker "across the high seas and through treacherous storms."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump was undeterred by concerns that the action could raise tensions with Russia and China. She emphasized the President's commitment to enforcing the embargo against all "dark fleet" vessels illegally transporting oil.
This seizure follows President Trump's announcement last month of a "complete blockade" on sanctioned oil tankers attempting to enter or leave Venezuela. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers the US would not allow Russia to simply claim the tanker by re-registering it. If this seizure stands, it would be the third Venezuelan-linked oil tanker captured since September.
In a related action on the same day, US Southern Command announced the seizure of another vessel in the Caribbean, describing it as stateless and involved in illicit activities. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned that crews of other sanctioned tankers could face prosecution if they refuse to comply with US authorities, noting that the Marinera's crew is under full investigation.
