The United States is carrying out an operation to seize the Russian-flagged Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, officials tells Reuters.

A Boeing “Poseidon” MRA1 Maritime Patrol and Surveillance Aircraft with the Royal Air Force is currently supporting efforts to seize the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, to the south of the Faroe Islands.

Multiple U-28A “Draco” Special Operations Aircraft with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) have departed from Wick John O'Groats Airport in Northern Scotland and are heading northwest towards Iceland, expected to pass almost directly over where operations are currently ongoing to seize the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera.

Special Forces, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have successfully boarded the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, in the Northern Atlantic, according to Reuters.

Initial reports that an additional crude oil tanker has also been boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Caribbean, off the coast of Latin America.

Fox News reports that United States boarded the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, this morning in the Northern Atlantic, before a flotilla of naval vessels could arrive to escort the ship from Russia.

An MH-6M Little Bird with the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) pictured off the port side of the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, this morning in the Northern Atlantic.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry had told the state-owned news network RIA it is currently monitoring reports that U.S. Special Forces have boarded the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, previously known as the Bella 1, in the Northern Atlantic, calling the situation “abnormal.”

Helicopters and at least one vessel with the U.S. Coast Guard were being used to take control of the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, on Wednesday under the Coast Guard’s law-enforcement authority, according to U.S. officials who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.

A P-8A “Poseidon” Maritime Patrol and Surveillance Aircraft and AC-130J “Ghostrider” Attack Gunships were launched from bases in the United Kingdom to help with the boarding operation, according to flight-tracking data and two U.S. officials.

Officials said that once the seizure of the vessel was complete, tanker captains and mechanics would be sent on board to operate the Marinera.

The Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, has been secured in the Northern Atlantic, according to a U.S. official who spoke to NBC News.

U.S. European Command (EUCOM) has published a statement announcing this morning’s operation which resulted in the successful seizure of the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, also known as the Bella 1, stating:

“The U.S. Department of Justice & Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of War today announced the seizure of
the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro.

This seizure supports the President’s Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. The operation was executed by DHS components with support from the Department of War, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland.”

Photo published by U.S. European Command (EUCOM), showing the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera (Bella 1), from the deck of the Legend-class cutter, USCGC Munro (WMSL-755), during this morning’s operation to seize the vessel in the Northern Atlantic.

The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted another oil tanker this morning in the Caribbean, identified as the Panamanian-flagged M Sophia, which was falsely flying the flag of Cameroon, according to a U.S. offical who spoke to the New York Times.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has announced and published footage from this morning’s interception, boarding, and seizure of the M/T Sophia, a stateless sanction dark fleet oil tanker operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The operation to seize the vessel was carried out by forces under the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, with the U.S. Coast Guard escorting the M/T Sophia back to the United States.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has published an over three-minute-long clip from this morning’s interception and seizure of the M/T Sophia, a stateless sanction dark fleet oil tanker conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.

Two U.S. Navy P-8A “Poseidon” Maritime Patrol and Surveillance Aircraft, along with several U-28A “Draco” Special Operations Aircraft with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), have landed at Keflavík International Airport in Iceland, following this morning’s operation to board and seize the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera.

Russia has released its first statement since this morning’s boarding and seizure of the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, by U.S. Special Forces in the Northern Atlantic. The Russian Ministry of Transport states: “In accordance with the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the waters of the high seas and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”

The U.K. Ministry of Defense has now confirmed that it participated in this morning’s boarding and seizure of the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, in the Northern Atlantic by the United States. According to a statement released by the MoD, the U.K. provided enabling support for the operation, which consisted of “pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets,” while the Tide-class replenishment tanker RFA Tideforce supported operation at sea alongside aerial-surveillance assets from the Royal Air Force.

The U.S. Coast Guard encountered no resistance or hostility from the crew onboard the Russian-flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera (Bella 1), during this morning’s boarding operation in the Northern Atlantic, an official tells the New York Times.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters earlier that he is planning to meet next week with representatives from Denmark to discuss issues around Greenland.

Venezuela will “indefinitely” ship sanctioned oil to the United States, sources close to the White House have told CNBC.