US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic after two-week pursuit

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Pjotr SauerJanuary 7, 2026 at 03:40 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

The US seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic after a two-week pursuit. The US Coast Guard boarded the tanker, which was navigating between Iceland and the UK, under a warrant issued by a US federal court. The seizure occurred after the tanker, part of a "shadow fleet" allegedly transporting oil for Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, reversed course from Iran to Venezuela, attempting to evade a US blockade. The US had sanctioned the vessel in 2024 for allegedly carrying illicit cargo for a Hezbollah-owned company. The operation, the first known US military seizure of a Russian-flagged vessel, may strain relations with Russia, especially as Moscow reportedly deployed a submarine to protect the tanker. Initial reports suggest the tanker was empty and en route to pick up Venezuelan oil.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United Kingdom 40% Iceland 40% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 40% RT 50% Vladimir Putin 50% Venezuela ×460% USCGC Munro 60% Iran ×260% Atlantic Ocean ×370% Marinera (Bella 1) ×575% Russia ×380% United States ×790%

Keywords

oil tanker seizure 100% us 80% russia 80% sanctions 70% atlantic ocean 60% russian-flagged vessel 60% shadow fleet 50% us coast guard 50% iran 40% venezuela 40%