US dealing with showdown with Russia near UK as Russian oil tanker ‘seized in raid ‘

The US is facing a showdown with Putin’s Russian forces after an alleged raid on the Russia linked oil tanker from Venezuela, the Marinera, has reportedly seen it seized.

Reports suggest several US military helicopters have been involved as photographs of its supposed capture have leaked on social media.

According to the BBC, the operation by US forces is currently underway in the North Atlantic Ocean, close to the UK coast.

The capture would end a two-week pursuit of the tanker, formerly known as Bella-1, after it evaded an initial attempt by the US to board last month in the Caribbean.

However, Donald Trump runs risk of sparking confrontation with Putin after reports Russia sent navy ships and submarines to escort the ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker.

The operation by the US is also said to be very close to the UK coast as both militaries could be at a stand off.

There has yet to be an official comment from the US to confirm the missions success.

However, according to NBC News, one US officials has confirmed the mission was successful with the Department of Homeland Security leading the operation with US military support.

The owner of the Marinera was previously sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2024.

It came after the Biden administration accused Turkey-based Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises SA, of links links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The vessel is believed to be empty but the US had obtained a warrant over alleged violations of US sanctions.

The US also claimed that the tanker had been used in order to transport Iranian oil.

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