Military Tension Rises as Sanctioned Tanker Reappears at Sea
U.S. and UK forces have stepped up military monitoring after a tanker linked to Iran resurfaced at sea, days after it slipped away from U.S. forces in the Caribbean. The renewed pursuit follows Donald Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” on Venezuelan oil exports, a move that has sharply increased pressure on vessels suspected of helping sanctioned governments move oil.
The tanker is accused of quietly supporting oil trading for countries under heavy sanctions, including Russia and Venezuela. During the chase, the crew reportedly took drastic steps to avoid capture, including painting a Russian flag on the ship’s hull and later changing the vessel’s name and registration to Russia.
U.S. officials say their goal is to seize the tanker, not sink it, similar to a helicopter raid carried out on another sanctioned ship last month. Military activity around RAF Fairford in the UK suggests preparations for a possible boarding operation, while naval aircraft continue to track the tanker’s movements at sea.
The incident reflects a wider scramble triggered by the blockade, with reports that more than a dozen tankers have fled Venezuelan waters using deceptive tactics such as false tracking data and sudden flag changes to avoid detection.
