By Trendsetter Tribune 
U.S. officials say American forces seized two tankers on Wednesday in separate operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce U.S. sanctions tied to illicit oil shipments.
According to U.S. European Command, one of the vessels — previously known as Bella 1 and later renamed Marinera — was boarded south of Iceland under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court. The command said the seizure took place in the North Atlantic.
Officials, speaking to reporters, said the ship had previously attempted to evade U.S. enforcement actions and had recently begun sailing under a Russian flag. Some officials also said the tanker had been in communication with Russian naval vessels in recent days.
Separate seizure reported in the Caribbean
U.S. Southern Command said a second vessel, identified as Sophia, was seized in international waters in the Caribbean. In a statement on social media, the command said the ship was “conducting illicit activities” and was being escorted to the United States by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Footage posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem showed armed personnel boarding a tanker during a nighttime operation. Noem said the actions involved coordination among the Departments of Defense, Justice and State, along with the Coast Guard, which has law enforcement authority at sea.
Details about the cargoes aboard either vessel have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Russia raises objections
Russia’s Ministry of Transport said U.S. Navy personnel boarded the Marinera in open waters and that contact with the vessel was subsequently lost, according to reporting by state agency TASS. The ministry said the ship had received temporary authorization to sail under the Russian state flag and argued that no country has the right to use force against vessels registered under another state’s jurisdiction.
The Kremlin and Russian Foreign Ministry had not issued detailed public statements at the time of reporting, though Russian officials said they were monitoring the situation.
U.S. cites sanctions enforcement
U.S. officials say the Bella 1 was sanctioned in 2024 for allegedly transporting Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. According to the White House, the vessel was considered “stateless” and subject to a judicial seizure order when U.S. forces began pursuing it. Officials allege the crew later painted a Russian flag and changed the vessel’s registration.
The U.S. military brought in surveillance and support aircraft, including P-8 Poseidon planes, during the operation, according to U.S. officials. The Coast Guard referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately comment further.
Defense officials have indicated they intend to continue maritime enforcement efforts involving sanctioned vessels near Venezuela and elsewhere.
Questions remain
Several issues remain unclear, including:
- the full legal process that will follow the seizures,
- the condition and status of the crews,
- the final destinations of the vessels,
- and whether any formal diplomatic protests will be lodged.
Statements from U.S. and Russian authorities may evolve as more information becomes available.