U.S. Reportedly Seizing Tanker Russia Wants To Protect With Naval Forces

The U.S. is attempting to seize a sanctioned oil tanker that Russia has been seeking to protect, even sending armed naval forces to that end, according to a new report.

Reuters detailed that the operation is being carried out by the Coast Guard and the U.S. military. Officials told the outlet that Russian military vessels are in the vicinity of the operation, which is taking place close to Iceland.

The Wall Street Journal had detailed that the forces Russia has sent to escort the vessel include a submarine, adding that Moscow has been concerned by such seizures, with the country's foreign ministry saying it was monitoring the situation "with concern."

The ship in question sought to reach Venezuela as the Bella 1 but is is now called the Marinera and has Sochi as a home port. It has also been added to an official Russian database, and Moscow asked Washington to stop its pursuit.

The tanker has been under U.S. sanctions for a year for transporting Iranian oil that authorities say is sold to finance terrorist activities.

Reuters detailed in another passage of the report that the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters as the Trump administration continues to enforce its blockade of sanctioned vessels.

The development comes as another report by the outlet noted that several tankers loaded with Venezuelan oil have left the country's waters over the past days. The outlet added that about a dozen tankers have managed to leave since the beginning of the year even though President Donald Trump said the embargo remained in full force even after the capture of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro.

Citing TankerTrackers.com and documents from state-run oil company PDVSA, all tankers referenced by the outlet are under sanctions and most carry Venezuelan crude to China.