US Captures Russia-Flagged Oil Tanker In Atlantic After Dramatic Chase

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, in the North Sea after pursuing the vessel for more than two weeks. The move comes amid reports that Moscow attempted to protect the ship by deploying naval forces to escort it. Russia's Foreign Ministry, in a statement released to the state news agency Tass, called on the United States to “ensure humane and dignified treatment” of Russian citizens on board the seized oil tanker and respect their rights and interests. Russia's Ministry of Transport said that, in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, “no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.” It is important to note that the US has not ratified the convention but generally recognises its provisions as customary law. The US military's European Command posted a statement on X confirming the operation. The statement said that the Justice Department, Homeland Security Department and Defence Department had seized the tanker for violations of US sanctions.