KEY POINTS
- Russia deployed a submarine and other naval vessels to escort an oil tanker pursued by US.
- The tanker is sailing under the Russian flag.
- US claims the vessel is part of a fleet linked to oil trade involving Venezuela, Russia and Iran.
- The US Coast Guard previously attempted to board the tanker, but it evaded seizure.
- Russia’s foreign ministry said it was “following with concern” disproportionate US and NATO attention.
- US military aircraft have been tracked over the North Atlantic.
WASHINGTON: Russia sent a submarine to escort an empty oil tanker the US military has been pursuing and attempting to seize for weeks, according to US media reports.
The United States has been chasing the oil tanker, formerly known as the Bella 1, since it evaded a partial US blockade around Venezuela and thwarted an attempt by the US Coast Guard to board it late last month.
US officials said the tanker is part of a fleet carrying oil for countries such as Venezuela, Russia and Iran in violation of US sanctions.
Tracking data from MarineTraffic, cited by AFP, showed the tanker nearing Iceland’s exclusive economic zone on Wednesday.
Russia sent “a submarine and other naval assets” to escort the tanker, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing unnamed US officials.
CBS News said two US officials confirmed “that Russia had sent a submarine and other Russian naval vessels” as escorts.
Russia following with ‘concern’
Russia’s foreign ministry earlier Tuesday said it was “following with concern” the US pursuit of the tanker.
The foreign ministry told state-run media prior to 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.
Since being pursued by the US Coast Guard, the vessel has switched its registration to Russia, changed its name to the Marinera and the tanker’s crew reportedly painted a Russian flag on the tanker last month, according to AFP.
The developments are the latest in US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on oil tankers going to and from Venezuela.
The oil tanker now guarded by Russia had been en route to Venezuela but was not carrying cargo before it evaded the US blockade, according to US media reports.
It has been under US sanctions since 2024 over alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah.
US military aircraft over North Atlantic
Meanwhile, several US military aircraft have been tracked over the North Atlantic in the area where the Marinera is reportedly being pursued by US authorities, BBC reported.
Data from sites such as FlightRadar24 show a US air-to-air refuelling tanker and several other aircraft used by US Air Force Special Operations Command for reconnaissance and other specialist missions, according to BBC Verify.
The US Coast Guard tried to board the tanker last month in the Caribbean when it was believed to be heading towards Venezuela. The Coast Guard had a warrant to seize the ship over its alleged breaking of sanctions.
Before it could be boarded, the vessel dramatically changed course and its approach to Europe has coincided with the arrival of around 10 US military transport aircraft as well as helicopters, BBC reported.
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.
