Russia has sent a nuclear submarine and other warships to escort a large oil tanker after the United States tried to seize it, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The tanker was once called Bella 1 and is part of a group of old tankers often called the “shadow fleet.” These ships move oil in ways that sometimes help countries under U.S. sanctions.
U.S. authorities say the Coast Guard chased Bella 1 in the Atlantic Ocean because it was linked to oil from Venezuela and Iran and may have been breaking sanctions.
The U.S. even got a seizure order from a judge before trying to stop the ship. But the crew refused to be boarded, sailed away, and later painted a Russian flag on the tanker and re-registered it under the name Marinera, claiming Russian protection.
After this, Russia responded by sending naval forces, including a submarine, to stay near the tanker and make clear that it would not allow another U.S. seizure attempt.
This has made tensions rise between Washington and Moscow and added a new problem to their already difficult relationship.
At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump made a separate announcement about Venezuela’s oil.
Trump said that the interim government in Venezuela will hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.
He said this oil will be sold at market price and that the money will be controlled by him as president to make sure it helps both Venezuelans and Americans.
This move comes amid a broader U.S. effort to tighten control over Venezuelan oil exports and reduce the influence of governments Washington views as hostile.
The shipment could affect global oil markets and change the flow of crude to major buyers like China and India.
By Newsmedia