Photo: EPA
The crew of the oil tanker Bella 1, which is under U.S. sanctions, painted a Russian flag on the vessel while being pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean. The move was likely intended to create the appearance of protection from Moscow, The New York Times reported, citing sources.
The tanker has been targeted since December 21, when it was sailing through the Caribbean Sea toward Venezuela to load oil. Bella 1 has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 for transporting Iranian oil, which U.S. authorities say is sold to finance terrorism.
The U.S. Coast Guard determined that the vessel was sailing without a valid national flag, which under international maritime law provides legal grounds for interception. However, the crew ignored orders to stop and continued its voyage. Since then, the tanker has been under continuous surveillance by U.S. forces.
U.S. officials said they have a warrant to seize Bella 1 based on its previous involvement in Iranian oil trade. The tanker is believed to be part of a so-called “ghost fleet” used to transport oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela in violation of international sanctions.
According to The New York Times, most of the Bella 1 crew members are citizens of Russia, India, and Ukraine.
