U.S. Seizes North Atlantic Tanker as Russia Protests Flag and Legality

Overview

• U.S. Coast Guard units, supported by military aircraft including a Navy P‑8 and AC‑130 and staging from U.K. bases, intercepted the vessel between Iceland and Scotland after tracking it since December 21.
• Washington identifies the ship as Bella 1, describes it as stateless and part of Venezuela’s sanctions‑evading ghost fleet, and says the move enforces efforts to choke off Venezuelan oil exports.
• Russia says the tanker is the Marinera, claims it received provisional authorization to fly the Russian flag on December 24, and calls the U.S. action dangerous, irresponsible, and unlawful.
• Moscow lodged a formal protest and sent at least one naval vessel to escort the tanker, while the White House said the crew could be brought to the United States for criminal prosecution.
• The episode intensifies U.S.–Russia friction and underscores tensions in President Trump’s approach as British support featured in the operation and analysts highlighted limits to Russian leverage.