The United States has started an operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after it evaded a partial blockade around Venezuela, multiple US media outlets said Wednesday.
US officials say the tanker is part of a so-called shadow fleet that has carried oil for countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran in violation of US sanctions.
Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed the tanker nearing Iceland’s exclusive economic zone on Wednesday.
The operation, first reported by Reuters citing two US officials, comes after Russia sent a submarine to escort the empty tanker that the United States has been pursuing for weeks.
The vessel thwarted an attempt by the US Coast Guard to board it late last month as it neared Venezuela.
Russia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was “following with concern” the US pursuit of the tanker.
The ministry told state-run media before reports of the escort that the vessel was sailing under the Russian flag and was far from the US coast.
“For reasons unclear to us, the Russian vessel is receiving heightened attention from the US and NATO militaries — attention that is clearly disproportionate to its peaceful status,” the ministry said.