Russia Deploys Submarine to Escort Oil Tanker Pursued by US Forces Across Atlantic
Russia has reportedly sent a submarine and additional naval vessels to escort the oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1 as it sails through international waters of the North Atlantic, between Iceland and the British Isles.
The move comes amid escalating tensions with the United States, which has been pursuing the vessel for weeks over alleged violations of sanctions linked to Iranian and Venezuelan oil shipments.
The tanker, now flying the Russian flag after being reflagged from Guyana, is reportedly empty but remains under intense US surveillance. Two US officials confirmed to CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner that Russia deployed naval assets to protect the ship, which has changed course dramatically toward Europe following an earlier attempt by the US Coast Guard to board it in the Caribbean last month.
US President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela last month, a move denounced by Caracas as “theft.”
The vessel had previously transported Venezuelan crude and was suspected of carrying Iranian oil, prompting a warrant for its seizure.
Russian authorities say the ship is operating lawfully under its flag and accuse the US and NATO of applying “disproportionate attention” to a civilian vessel.
“At present, our vessel is 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,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
US Southern Command posted on social media Tuesday that it “remains ready to support our US government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region.”
Two US officials indicated American forces are preparing to board the tanker, preferring seizure over destruction.
BBC Verify analysed footage released by Russian state broadcaster RT, reportedly taken from the tanker’s deck, showing a US Coast Guard Legend-class cutter trailing the vessel. AIS data from MarineTraffic places the Marinera approximately 300 km south of Iceland’s shoreline as of Tuesday morning, having passed west of the UK in recent days.
Source: BBC News: Curated & amplified by Newsworth Reporter Patience Jato
