An oil tanker connected to Venezuelan oil that was traveling under the Russian flag has been seized by the US on accusation of violating US sanctions and transporting Iranian oil.
Last month, US forces attempted to board the Marinera, formerly known as the Bella 1, in the Caribbean, but was intercepted in the North Atlantic.
Additionally, it claimed to have captured a second tanker in the Caribbean during the “back-to-back” boarding of two “ghost fleet” vessels.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the UK military provided air surveillance and a navy ship to assist the US operation to capture the tanker Marinera in the Atlantic.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, the crew of the Marinera will be prosecuted “if necessary” in the United States.
Earlier, Russia’s foreign ministry stated that the US should not obstruct their return.
According to Leavitt, the ship was “deemed stateless after flying a false flag” and is being referred to by US authorities as the Bella 1.
According to Moscow, “No state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries’ jurisdictions” and the tanker was only momentarily flagged to Russia.
The ship is accused of transporting Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions. It used to carry Venezuelan crude oil, but reports said, it’s empty at the moment.