Russia even deployed a submarine and other naval assets to try and escort the tanker safely across the Atlantic

Russia has deployed navy assets to escort an oil tanker also being pursued by US forces across the Atlantic, CBS News, BBC's media partner in the US, In a new escalation between Russia and the United States reported. The ship, which currently isn't carrying anything, historically has transported Venezuelan crude oil and was thought to be between Scotland and Iceland on Tuesday.

A "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela,

President Donald Trump said last month that he was ordering a "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a move the government there described as "theft".Ahead of the US seizure of the country's former leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump repeatedly accused Venezuela's government of using ships to bring drugs to the US.

 Bella 1 as renamed  to Marinera 

The US Coast Guard tried to board the Bella 1 last month in the Caribbean when it was believed to be heading towards Venezuela. It had a warrant to seize the ship, which was accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil.It then dramatically changed course - as well as its name to Marinera - reportedly reflagging from a Guyanese to a Russian vessel

  US sanctioning in 2024 for a “shadow fleet” 

The tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operating within a “shadow fleet” of tankers transporting illicit oil. It was initially headed for Venezuela before turning around to avoid seizure by the US Coast Guard last month. The tanker was in the North Atlantic as of two days ago, heading northeast near the coast of the United Kingdom, according to open-source vessel data from Kpler, a trade intelligence firm.

The crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull

Some reports while being pursued, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull and claimed it was sailing under Russian protection. Shortly thereafter, the vessel appeared on Russia’s official register of ships under the new name — the Marinera. Russia filed a formal diplomatic request last month demanding that the US stop pursuing the vessel. By claiming Russian status, the legalities of seizing the tanker could become more complicated.

Its approach to Europe has coincided with the arrival of around 10 US military transport aircraft as well as helicopters. Russia says it is "monitoring with concern" the situation around the ship.

Washington preferred to seize it rather than sink it

Two US officials told CBS News earlier on Tuesday that American forces were planning to board the ship, and that Washington preferred to seize it rather than sink it .On Tuesday, The US military's Southern Command posted on social media that it "remains ready to support our US government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region. according Agencies "Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. When the call comes, we will be there."

Other intelligence reports

In the same context as other intelligence reports have confirmedRussia even deployed a submarine and other naval assets to try and escort the tanker safely across the Atlantic, a US official told The Wall Street Journal.  In a defensive move, US cargo planes packed with Special Forces helicopters swooped into RAF Fairford to aid the hunt for the tanker. Troops from America’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment – known as Nightstalkers – have brought Black Hawk and Chinook choppers to let soldiers fast rope onto the 1100ft vessel

Related : US naval blockade of all sanctioned tankers to and from Venezuela

Source : Agencies

#US cargo #The US military's Southern #Donald Trump #blockade" of sanctioned # Russia #Bella 1 #Marinera # Venezuela # a submarine #Shadow fleet