UK secretly involved as US seizes oil tanker linked to Russia and Iran

Washingon: The US government said it has seized two oil tankers connected to sanctioned oil trade involving Russia, Iran and Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in enforcement actions against what officials describe as a global “dark fleet”. One of the vessels was intercepted in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Scotland, with the UK’s Ministry of Defence confirming British involvement in the operation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the tanker was seized under a judicial order issued by a US federal court after being tracked for transporting sanctioned oil. She added that the crew of the vessel is now subject to prosecution under US federal law and could be brought to the United States if required. Russia has condemned the seizure, arguing that it violates international maritime law.

US officials said the tanker had links to Venezuela’s shadow oil network and Iran, while another sanctioned vessel was also seized in the Caribbean as part of a broader effort to disrupt illicit oil flows. The White House said proceeds from Venezuelan oil already seized or marketed would be held in US-controlled accounts, with any future use decided by Washington.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected criticism from lawmakers that the administration was “winging it” on Venezuela, insisting there was a detailed plan in place following the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Rubio said the strategy was already being implemented and involved close engagement with Venezuela’s interim authorities.

The developments came alongside renewed attention on US foreign policy posture, after the White House said military action in Greenland is “always an option”, even as it stressed diplomacy remains President Donald Trump’s preferred approach. Denmark has warned that any US invasion of Greenland would threaten NATO unity, while European allies have expressed concern over growing tensions.

The seizure of the tankers highlights Washington’s broader push to enforce sanctions, curb oil revenues for adversarial states, and assert influence in what US officials describe as America’s strategic sphere, even as geopolitical unease grows among allies and rivals alike.