US military seizes two sanctioned tankers in Atlantic Ocean

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US seizes second oil tanker, this time in Caribbean

U.S. Southern Command confirmed that the M/T Sophia oil tanker has been seized in the Caribbean, after the U.S. military announced that it had seized a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday. (Credit: U.S. Southern Command)

U.S. forces on Wednesday seized two sanctioned tankers in the Atlantic Ocean.

First, U.S. European Command (EUCOM) announced the seizure of the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic Sea.

"The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions," read a post from EUCOM on X. "The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro."

"This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere," EUCOM added. "The operation was executed by DHS components with support from  @DeptofWar, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland."

Fox News previously reported that U.S. forces were attempting to board the Marinera tanker, which previously operated under the name Bella 1, in the North Atlantic earlier Wednesday morning.

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The Coast Guard has seized an oil tanker allegedly linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic  (U.S. European Command)

The development comes after the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.

The vessel had spent more than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the outlet reported.

"The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world," said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after the tanker was seized.

President Donald Trump announced a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela in mid-December.

The Department of Justice and DHS have confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard has seized an oil tanker in the North Atlantic with alleged ties to Venezuela. (U.S. European Command)

Later Wednesday morning, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the separate seizure of another oil tanker, the M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean.

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"In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident," SOUTHCOM said.

U.S. Southern Command confirms that U.S. forces have seized a second oil tanker in the Caribbean (U.S. Southern Command)

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It added that the interdicted vessel was conducting "illicit activities" in the Caribbean and is being escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard to the United States for "final disposition."

"Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas," said SOUTHCOM.

U.S. Navy SEALs flown by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ("Night Stalkers") seized the sanctioned Marinera tanker, previously named Bella 1, between Iceland and Britain, officials told Fox News.

The U.S. Coast Guard had been shadowing the vessel for weeks.Russia had previously said it would escort her into port using warships and a submarine. The sanctioned tanker was recently reflagged to become a Russian vessel.

The Justice Department issued a warrant to seize the ship over its sanctions violations for transporting oil on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department. 

The Coast Guard had tried boarding the ship last month in the Caribbean when she was heading to Venezuela. She then turned and headed for the North Atlantic. 

U.S. forces arrived before the Russians did.