Overview
- The 32‑page warrant, signed Nov. 26 by Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, was executed just before expiry under a statute allowing seizure of assets tied to federal terrorism crimes.
- DOJ says the M/T Skipper moved sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian crude for a network supporting Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC, and the FBI cast the raid as sanctions enforcement.
- The White House says the vessel will go to a U.S. port and that the oil will be seized, with Galveston, Texas identified by U.S. officials as the expected destination.
- Shipping data show the tanker carried roughly 1.8–2.0 million barrels, vessel movements from Venezuela have slowed to a near standstill, and sources estimate about 11 million barrels now stranded.
- Treasury expanded sanctions to six supertankers, linked shippers, and relatives of Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela, Cuba and Iran denounced the seizure and President Trump threatened possible strikes on land following dozens of lethal maritime operations.