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Reflagged by Russia, spied on by UK, seized by US: why so much interest in a rusty tanker in the Atlantic?
The ship is alleged to be part of a shadow fleet dodging western sanctions. It had no oil onboard – but was it carrying Russian weapons?
A massive, rusty crude oil tanker floating north through the Atlantic has become the centre of global interest after it was followed for days and eventually seized by US forces while Russia’s military rushed towards it.
Despite not carrying any oil, the 300-metre-long ship is clearly of value. Theories for why range from speculation that high-value Russian weapons are hidden in the hull, to the ship’s potential to become a symbolic trophy in a transatlantic power struggle between Washington and Moscow.
AUDIO: How the US seized Russian oil tanker fits into Trump's plan for Venezuela
Oil facilities are seen on Lake Maracaibo in Lagunillas, Venezuela May 24, 2018. Picture taken May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia
The US military has boarded and seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic Ocean that has been trying to evade a US blockade for weeks.
It is one of two Venezuela-linked oil tankers intercepted by the US within a few hours, as the Trump administration pledges to tightly control the country's oil industry and use its blockade to pressure its government to cooperate.
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US forces seize Russian oil tanker, risking military clash
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London: US forces have boarded a Russian-flagged tanker off the coast of Iceland in a dramatic mission to enforce oil sanctions despite protests from Moscow, while also intercepting a second “ghost fleet” vessel in the Caribbean.
The US gained naval assistance from Britain to chase and halt the Russian-flagged ship as it sought to return from Venezuela and cross the North Sea to a home port. Footage of one of the seizures showed US Coast Guard personnel rappelling to the deck from helicopters above.
The extraordinary moves, days after the US military operation in Venezuela, came as US President Donald Trump blamed NATO allies for failing to spend enough on defence after they warned him against trying to take over Greenland.
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