US forces are tracking the tanker across the Atlantic Ocean, while Russia has sent warships to monitor the situation.
The ship, currently empty of cargo but previously carrying Venezuelan oil, was yesterday between Scotland and Iceland.
This escalation followed after US President Donald Trump announced the blockade of sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, which the authorities in Caracas characterized as theft.
Trump has previously accused the Venezuelan government of using ships to smuggle narcotics into the United States.
The U.S. Coast Guard tried to seize the tanker, then known as Bella 1, last month on suspicion of violating sanctions and carrying Iranian oil. After that, the ship changed its name to Mariner and, according to reports, its flag to Russian.
Russian authorities claim that the ship is sailing in accordance with international law and warn of what they say is an excessive US and NATO military presence.
Experts, however, point out that changing the flag does not necessarily prevent American intervention.
(Vijesti.ba)
