US seizes Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela: What is happening near Iceland | WATCH

The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025. Hakon Rimmereid/via REUTERS/File Photo

The US seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic after tracking it for weeks, despite Russian naval presence nearby. The operation is part of US efforts to crack down on Venezuelan oil shipments and follows Maduro's capture.

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The United States on Wednesday announced it has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after tracking the vessel for more than two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean. The seizure was confirmed by US European Command in a social media post.

The news of the high-risk operation -- first reported by Reuters -- unfolded amid the presence of Russian naval assets in the wider area, including a submarine and a warship, raising concerns about a potential escalation with Moscow.

"The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro," read an X post by the US European Command.

The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X

— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026

Russia’s state broadcaster RT earlier reported that US forces were attempting to board the tanker, now named Marinera, using a helicopter. RT released an image that it said showed a helicopter hovering close to the vessel during the operation.

🇺🇸⚡⚡🇷🇺 U.S. Coast Guard and special forces, successfully boarded the Russian-flagged, oil tanker Marinera (ex Bella1) in the North Atlantic, despite Russia deploying a submarine and warships near the tanker. pic.twitter.com/NZbxKjXUKy — Geo News (@GeoTienou) January 7, 2026

Citing an unnamed source, RT reported that a US Coast Guard ship had been tailing the tanker and that an earlier attempt to seize it failed due to stormy sea conditions.

US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the interception effort carries significant diplomatic risks. They said the tanker had previously evaded a US maritime “blockade” imposed on sanctioned vessels and had repeatedly refused requests by the US Coast Guard to allow boarding.

The joint operation by US Coast Guard and the US military marks one of the rare cases in recent years in which the United States has attempted to seize a Russian-flagged commercial vessel at sea.

The US officials have also confirmed that Russian military vessels were operating in the general vicinity, including a submarine, although the precise distance from the tanker remains unclear. The interception is taking place near Iceland, the officials said.

The US Coast Guard had tried to seize the tanker last month when it was near Venezuela, but US forces were unable to board it after the ship turned around and fled.

The US continued to pursue the vessel as it headed northeast, and US P-8 surveillance aircraft were deployed out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, to surveil the tanker for days ahead of its seizure as it made its way north and past the UK coast, according to open-source flight data.

At some point while being pursued, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming it was sailing under Russian protection.

Shortly thereafter, the vessel appeared on Russia’s official register of ships under a new name — the Marinera. Russia filed a formal diplomatic request last month demanding that the US stop pursuing the vessel.

By claiming Russian status, the legalities of seizing the tanker could become more complicated, but two sources familiar with the matter said the Trump administration hasn’t recognized that status and considers the vessel to be stateless.

Tanker among vessels targeted by US

Reuters reported that the tanker was originally operating under the name Bella-1 and was first intercepted by the US Coast Guard last month. US officials said the vessel refused to permit boarding at that time and later re-registered under a Russian flag, after which it began operating under its current name, Marinera.

US officials told Reuters that the vessel is the latest target in President Donald Trump’s intensified pressure campaign against Venezuela, which includes aggressive enforcement measures aimed at oil shipments linked to the country.

Separately, the US Coast Guard has intercepted another Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Latin American waters as part of the same crackdown, officials said.

The attempted tanker seizure comes just days after US special forces carried out a pre-dawn operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was then transferred to US custody to face prosecution on charges related to alleged drug trafficking.

Senior Venezuelan officials have strongly condemned the operation, describing Maduro’s capture as a kidnapping. They accused Washington of attempting to seize control of Venezuela’s oil wealth, which is widely believed to be among the largest reserves in the world.