US forces attempting to board sanctioned Russian-flagged oil tanker in North Atlantic, sources say

U.S. forces are attempting to board the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic Sea, sources told Fox News.

The news, first reported by Reuters, comes after The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.

The vessel, previously operating under the name Bella 1, has spent more than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the outlet reported.

AS TRUMP SEIZES A SECOND TANKER, VENEZUELA STILL HOLDS THE WORLD'S LARGEST OIL RESERVES

U.S. Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, said on X that it "remains ready to support our U.S. Government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region."

"Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. When the call comes, we will be there," the post read.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in December that the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, seized a second oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region," said Noem. "We will find you, and we will stop you."

This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.