What to Know About the Oil Tanker Intercept That Is Escalating U.S.–Russia Tensions

U.S. forces have seized an oil tanker linked to Venezuela and bearing a Russian flag, in a move that could inflame tensions between the U.S. and Russia.

U.S. European Command confirmed Wednesday morning that the vessel had been seized by the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department in coordination with the military for “violations of U.S. sanctions” amid a blockade on certain oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.  

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“The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” the Command wrote on X. “This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.”

Reuters first reported the interception.

The vessel, previously called Bella 1, is an oil tanker that has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil, though it reportedly was not carrying any at the time of the seizure.  The U.S. previously sanctioned the tanker in 2024 over alleged link to Iran-backed militant groups across the Middle East, including the Houthis and Hezbollah. Its seizure follows a more than two-week long pursuit.

The tanker was sailing under the Russian flag, and U.S. officials told multiple outlets that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval vessels to safeguard and escort it during the pursuit by U.S. forces. The New York Times reported, citing two officials, that no Russian vessels were in the vicinity when it was seized, however.

The U.S. Coast Guard attempted to board the tanker, which is accused of breaking U.S. sanctions and transporting Iranian oil headed to Venezuela, in the Caribbean last month. The vessel refused to be boarded, turned away, and fled. It then changed its name to the Marinera and re-registered as a Russian vessel.  

The seizure comes days after U.S. military captured Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, in a massive military operation following months of escalating pressure against the Venezuelan government. President Donald Trump has since Maduro’s capture said that the U.S. is looking to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry and bring in American companies to rebuild it. 
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday morning that the Coast Guard had also seized a second tanker, the Sophia, in the Caribbean. The vessel, Noem wrote on X, “has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice.”