US forces attempt to board Russian-flagged oil tanker in North Atlantic: Report

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US forces are actively attempting to board a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic suspected of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian crude, Fox News reported Wednesday.

The operation targets the vessel known as Marinera, formerly Bella 1, as part of US efforts to enforce sanctions against oil shipments.

The tanker had initially resisted a Coast Guard boarding attempt near Venezuela in December, before going dark by turning off its Automatic Identification System, changing its name and reregistering under the Russian flag.

Moscow responded by deploying a submarine and other naval assets to escort the Marinera, CBS News reported.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the ship was “sailing in the international waters of the North Atlantic under the state flag of the Russian Federation and in full compliance with the norms of international maritime law,” warning that it was receiving “clearly disproportionate attention.”

Washington sanctioned the vessel in 2024 for alleged involvement in illicit oil transport linked to Iranian crude and other blacklisted entities. The ship was heading to load cargo in Venezuela when Coast Guard forces attempted to board it, but the crew executed a sharp U-turn and fled into the Atlantic Ocean.

Venezuela has condemned US actions as "international piracy."

Wednesday's boarding attempt comes days after the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Anadolu's request for commnent.