U.S. seizing Venezuela-linked Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit

U.S. officials said the Coast Guard and U.S. military were attempting to seize a Russia-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuelan exports near Iceland after a weeks-long pursuit; officials reported Russian naval vessels, including a submarine, were in the general area.

U.S. officials reported an effort to seize a Russia-flagged oil tanker that they say is linked to Venezuelan oil exports. The Coast Guard and U.S. military were described as carrying out the operation after a pursuit across the Atlantic that lasted more than two weeks. Officials said Russian naval vessels, including a submarine, were in the general vicinity of the operation. The action was reported as part of U.S. enforcement against sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments. Known details: - U.S. officials said the Coast Guard and U.S. military were attempting to seize the Russia-flagged tanker near Iceland. - Officials reported Russian naval vessels, including a submarine, were in the general vicinity; there were no reported confrontations. - The tanker was previously named Bella-1 and was later registered under a Russian flag and renamed Marinera after earlier refusal to be boarded. - U.S. officials also reported the interception of another Venezuela-linked Panama-flagged supertanker, M Sophia, which was described as under sanctions. Summary: The reported operation marks a rare U.S. attempt to seize a Russian-flagged vessel and is presented as part of broader enforcement against sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments. Undetermined at this time.