US EditionRussia Harshly Condemns US Seizure of Oil Tanker, Warns of a Spike in Tensions
The US Coast Guard led a two-week operation with UK support to enforce sanctions on oil shipments tied to Venezuela, Russia, and Iran by seizing the Marinera tanker.
- On January 7, 2026, U.S. forces seized the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera on the high seas in the North Atlantic, reported heading to a Russian port.
- U.S. officials said the interception followed claims the tanker carried oil for Venezuela, Russian Federation and Iran, violating Western sanctions amid Washington's frustration over stalled diplomacy.
- Operation briefings detail that the United Kingdom provided `pre-planned operation support` to the U.S., while Moscow said Marinera sailed under Russian law's temporary allowance to sail under the state flag.
- The Foreign Ministry in Moscow said the move will `only result in further military and political tensions`, and called the U.S. claim that the crew could be prosecuted `categorically unacceptable`.
- Legal disputes over sanctions and maritime law persist as Moscow called Western sanctions `illegitimate` and argued they cannot justify ship seizures days after President Donald Trump said he was `not thrilled` with Vladimir Putin.
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Independent EspañolRussia strongly condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker on Thursday, signaling a further chill in relations between Moscow and Washington that could spread to other areas and affect US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The seizure of the Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday "can only lead to a further escalation of military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region, as well as a visible l…
‘A new precedent’ In an interview with Meduza, expert Pierre Thévenin breaks down the maritime law behind Washington’s recent tanker seizures
The tanker Bella 1 in the Singapore Strait. March 18, 2025. On January 7, U.S. military forces seized two tankers linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” ending a weeks-long pursuit of one vessel, the Bella 1. After the ship sought Russian sovereign protection by changing its flag in late December, Moscow mobilized warships and a submarine to intervene. Despite these maneuvers, U.S. personnel eventually boarded and detained the ship. Russia’s Transpo…
Russia harshly condemns U.S. seizure of oil tanker, warns of a spike in tensions
Russia on Thursday strongly condemned the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker, heralding a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington that could spread to other areas and affect U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade Russia to end its nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
Associated Press News
Russia harshly condemns US seizure of oil tanker, warns of a spike in tensions
Russia has strongly condemned the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker. It heralds a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington that could spread to other areas and affect President Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade Russia to end its nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
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