The United States says it has seized a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the North Atlantic
Earlier, several military aircraft were tracked heading towards the vessel, the Marinera.
Footage released by Russian media also appears to show a US vessel close to the ship
BBC Verify is following the tanker’s journey – it’s around 200km (120 miles) south of Iceland and recently changed course
The ship is accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil.
It’s historically transported Venezuelan crude oil, but reports say it’s empty at the moment
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Reports previously said Russia had deployed a submarine and other vessels to escort the tanker across the Atlantic
Meanwhile, Britain’s prime minister’s official spokesperson, when contacted for reaction, said Downing Street won’t comment on the US operation involving the Venezuela-linked Marinera oil tanker.
“We don’t comment on the operational activity of other nations, including the third-party use of UK bases,” the spokesperson told reporters when asked about the tanker in the regular Wednesday briefing following Prime Minister’s Questions, adding that it was “a long-standing position” of UK government.
