Russia Condemns US Seizure of Oil Tanker Near Iceland as Maritime Piracy

Russia has strongly condemned the US seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, calling it a violation of international maritime law and "outright piracy." The vessel Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, was boarded by US naval forces near Iceland on January 7, marking a significant escalation in the maritime standoff that began with earlier US pursuit attempts near Venezuela.

US Successfully Seizes Vessel After Extended Pursuit

The US Coast Guard and military forces successfully boarded and seized the Marinera near Iceland, ending the prolonged maritime chase that began when the vessel evaded initial US interception attempts in the Caribbean. Contact with the tanker was lost after US naval forces took control of the ship, which had been operating under sanctions for allegedly transporting black-market Iranian oil.

Two US officials confirmed the operation was carried out jointly by the Coast Guard and US military. Russian military vessels, including a submarine, were reported in the general vicinity during the seizure, though there were no indications of direct confrontation between US and Russian forces.

Russia's Official Condemnation and Legal Challenge

Russia's Transport Ministry issued a formal statement denouncing the seizure as a violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. "In accordance with the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states," the ministry declared.

Andrei Klishas, a lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, escalated the rhetoric by describing the action as "outright piracy on the high seas." Russia is demanding that the United States ensure humane treatment of the Russian crew members and their swift return home, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Broader Venezuela Pressure Campaign Context

The tanker seizure forms part of a wider US pressure campaign against Venezuela that intensified dramatically when President Donald Trump deployed US special forces on January 3 to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The operation, described as a "law enforcement operation," reportedly resulted in several dozen casualties and aimed to bring Maduro to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Russia has expressed support for Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday, and pledged continued backing for Venezuela against what Moscow terms "blatant neocolonial threats and foreign armed aggression." Venezuelan leader Maduro became the second close Russian ally to be ousted in just over a year, following Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's removal.

Diplomatic Relations and Military Incidents

Relations between Moscow and Washington plunged to their worst state since the Cold War after Russia invaded Ukraine, though they have become more cordial since Trump began his second term and started engaging with President Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the conflict. Military incidents between the nuclear-armed powers are rare, with the last significant confrontation occurring when a US military surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea after being intercepted by Russian fighter jets, prompting Washington to protest and warn of escalation risks.

With Russians still in the midst of an extended New Year holiday period, Putin has yet to comment publicly on the US action to remove Maduro, though Russia continues to back the new Venezuelan leadership against what it characterizes as foreign aggression.