US pursues Russian-flagged oil tanker near Iceland; Trump claims Venezuela oil handover

The United States has launched an operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after it evaded a partial blockade around Venezuela. According to US officials, the vessel is part of a 'shadow fleet' carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran in violation of US sanctions. The tanker, now named Marinera, is sailing near Iceland's exclusive economic zone after Russia deployed a submarine and other naval assets to escort it. This follows a late December attempt by the US Coast Guard to board the vessel near Venezuela, which was thwarted by the tanker's crew.

Russia's foreign ministry says it is 'following with concern' the US pursuit, calling the attention from US and NATO militaries 'disproportionate to its peaceful status.' Since being pursued, the tanker switched registration to Russia, changed its name, and crew painted a Russian flag on the hull. The vessel had been traveling to Venezuela empty before being pursued.

Meanwhile, President Trump claims Venezuela will hand over tens of millions of barrels of oil to the US following a weekend raid that toppled President Nicolas Maduro. Trump said the US will 'run' Venezuela and US companies will control its oil, though details on the arrangement remain unclear. The US also separately intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters. This marks an escalation in Trump's crackdown on sanctioned oil tankers, with the US now pursuing multiple vessels across different oceans.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/01/07/us-attempts-to-seize-russia-flagged-oil-tanker-in-atlantic/