The US has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean in a high-stakes operation that could risk confrontation with the Kremlin after Moscow reportedly dispatched a submarine to safeguard the vessel. The Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT earlier published two grainy photographs showing a helicopter approaching the Marinera tanker, saying an operation was under way. Asked whether the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic risked escalating tensions with Russia, Leavitt did not respond directly, saying the vessel’s crew could be transferred to the US for prosecution “if necessary”. Photograph: XThe Marinera had been navigating in the Atlantic between Iceland and the UK, according to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic. Initial reports suggest the ageing tanker is empty, having been en route to pick up Venezuelan oil before changing course.

Source: The Guardian January 07, 2026 23:22 UTC