US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker Bella 1 in North Atlantic

WISE NEWS PRESS / REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

The United States military has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, the "Bella 1" (recently renamed Marinera), in the North Atlantic following weeks of surveillance and allegations of sanctions violations.

US European Command (EUCOM) announced that the vessel was taken into custody under a warrant from a US court and on the instructions of the Departments of Justice and Interior. Officials stated that the tanker is a key asset in a "ghost fleet" used by Moscow to circumvent American sanctions by transporting oil between Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. At the time of the seizure, the vessel was positioned within Iceland's exclusive economic zone.

British Forces Provide Strategic Support

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that British forces played a supportive role in the operation. According to the statement, the Royal Navy dispatched a vessel to assist, while the UK opened its military bases and monitored airspace to facilitate the US-led interception. In a simultaneous development, US forces in the Caribbean seized another vessel, the "M/T Sophia," which was reportedly linked to Venezuela and operating without a national flag.

Moscow Denounces "Act of Violence"

Russia responded with sharp criticism of the operation. The Russian Ministry of Transport stated that "no state has the right to exercise violence against a vessel registered under the jurisdiction of another state in accordance with the law." Moscow clarified that the tanker, formerly known as "Bella 1," was renamed "Marinera" on December 24, 2025, and had received temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag. The Russian Foreign Ministry has called for humane treatment of the crew and demanded their swift return to Russia.

Submarine Escorts and Sanctions Background

The "Bella 1" has been under US sanctions since 2024 due to its alleged ties with Iran and Hezbollah. Reports from Fox News and CNN indicated that the vessel had recently fled a blockade in Venezuela. To protect the tanker, Russia reportedly dispatched a submarine and a military ship to escort it. In a symbolic act of defiance during its journey, the crew reportedly painted the hull of the ship in the colors of the Russian flag to assert sovereign protection—a move Washington dismissed as a tactic to bypass international law.

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Source: DW