The United States is actively seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker accused of violating American sanctions by transporting Iranian oil, according to details provided by Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson during a segment outlining the unfolding operation.
Tomlinson reported that the vessel, formerly known as the Bella One, has a history tied to sanctioned oil shipments and is now the focus of a coordinated U.S. military and law enforcement effort.
“The ship, previously known as the Bella one, had been accused of violating American sanctions and shipping Iranian oil,” Tomlinson said.
He noted that while the tanker has previously transported Venezuelan oil, it is currently believed to be empty.
“The ship has also transported Venezuelan oil in the past, but is reporting to be empty right now,” Tomlinson said.
According to Tomlinson, imagery has emerged showing U.S. military forces preparing to board the vessel.
“Photos showing a US Army little bird helicopter with a boarding party on the skids have been seen a beam of the tanker,” he said.
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He explained that the aircraft involved are operated by elite special operations units.
“Little birds are flown by the US military’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers,” Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson tied the operation to recent actions ordered by President Trump, saying the same unit has been involved in other high-risk missions.
“This is the same unit that flew into Venezuela to grab Nicolas Maduro and his wife last weekend as part of the full Pegasus package ordered by President Trump,” he said.
The situation has reportedly drawn a response from Russia, according to Tomlinson.
“Now Russia reportedly deployed a submarine, other vessels to escort the oil tanker,” he said.
Despite that, he indicated U.S. forces moved quickly. “It appears the US military got there first,” Tomlinson said.
He added that the tanker had recently changed its registration status.
“The sanctioned tanker was recently reflagged to become a Russian vessel,” Tomlinson said.
The seizure effort follows broader enforcement measures announced last month.
“Last month, President Trump ordered a full blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela,” Tomlinson said.
He explained that the U.S. Coast Guard had already attempted to board the vessel earlier during its movements in the Caribbean.
“The US Coast Guard had been trying to board the ship last month in the Caribbean, when she was heading to Venezuela,” Tomlinson said.
According to Tomlinson, legal action accompanied the enforcement efforts.
“The Justice Department issued a warrant to seize that ship over its alleged sanctions violations for transporting oil on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is classified as a foreign terrorist organization,” he said.
The tanker then altered its course in an apparent attempt to evade seizure.
“The tanker then changed course and raced to Europe with the US Coast Guard Cutter in hot pursuit to shadow the tanker,” Tomlinson said.
He reported that additional preparations were made in recent days to intercept the ship.
“In recent days, the US military sent a boarding team of commandos to Britain for the mission of boarding and taking down the tanker,” Tomlinson said.
Tracking data placed the vessel near northern waters as the operation continued.
“Previous tracking data showed the sanctioned tanker about 100 miles south of Iceland, likely trying to get to Russia,” Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson concluded by reporting that the effort may be expanding beyond a single vessel.
“And now Dana, US forces are reportedly trying to seize a second oil tanker in the Caribbean, as we’ve just learned, we are working to confirm that second report,” he said.
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