American forces have intercepted a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, a move that could heighten tensions between the US and Russia. The vessel, named Marinera and previously known as Bella-1, was captured on Wednesday as it travelled between Iceland and Scotland.
The UK confirmed that its armed forces supported the operation. Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce took part, according to the Ministry of Defence. Defence Secretary John Healey said the tanker was part of a “Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion” and was “stateless” before falsely flying the flag of Guyana and later adopting the Russian flag.
The seizure follows recent US operations in Venezuela, including the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, and comes amid a diplomatic row over US threats to take over Greenland. President Donald Trump criticised Nato allies on social media, claiming they were not supportive, despite British involvement.
Russia’s transport ministry argued that international maritime law had been breached, stating that “no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states”. A Kremlin adviser warned that the seizure could lead to a “crisis situation in relations between Russia and the US”.
The Marinera is part of a “shadow fleet” of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil in violation of sanctions. The US also seized another sanctioned tanker, the Sophia, in the Caribbean on Wednesday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the crew of the Marinera is subject to prosecution.
