Overview
- U.S. European Command said Coast Guard teams boarded the Marinera, formerly the Bella‑1, between Iceland and the UK under a U.S. federal court seizure warrant.
- The tanker had evaded a December boarding near Venezuela, then changed name and flag to Russia while being tracked for more than two weeks across the Atlantic.
- In a coordinated action, U.S. Southern Command said the Coast Guard intercepted the Panama‑flagged M/T Sophia in Caribbean waters and is escorting it toward U.S. custody.
- Britain provided pre‑planned support that included basing, a naval vessel and RAF surveillance, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
- Russia condemned the seizure as a violation of maritime law and demanded humane treatment and return of the crew, while U.S. officials framed the actions as enforcement of President Trump's proclamation targeting sanctioned oil shipments; no direct clash with Russian forces was reported.