U.S. Moves to Seize Russian-Flagged Tanker in Atlantic Amid Sanctions Dispute

The United States has launched an operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, according to multiple U.S. media reports. The vessel had earlier evaded a partial maritime blockade near Venezuela and is accused of being part of a “shadow fleet” that transports oil for sanctioned nations, including Venezuela, Russia, and Iran.

The tanker, tracked approaching Iceland’s exclusive economic zone on Wednesday, had previously avoided a U.S. Coast Guard boarding attempt late last month off the Venezuelan coast. In response, Russia deployed a submarine to escort the vessel, escalating the maritime standoff.

Russian officials expressed concern over the U.S. pursuit, stating the tanker was sailing peacefully under the Russian flag and far from U.S. waters. “For reasons unclear to us, the Russian vessel is receiving heightened attention from the U.S. and NATO militaries,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.

Since being pursued, the tanker switched its registration to Russia, changed its name, and its crew painted a Russian flag on its hull. It had been en route to Venezuela without cargo and has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 over alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah.

The incident occurs amid heightened tensions following recent U.S. actions in Venezuela. Last week, U.S. special forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro, who now faces trial in New York. U.S. President Donald Trump has since stated that Venezuela will hand over “tens of millions of barrels of oil” to the United States, though details of any agreement with the interim government remain unclear.

Separately, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters, reinforcing Washington’s ongoing campaign to enforce oil-related sanctions.